Forgiving our parents.

As I look back at my own childhood years I remember times I visited the homes of my friends. I usually thought "I would love to live in this family instead of living with my own parents." I even preferred boarding school and did not look forward to the holidays. I now know my mother was doing her very best to be a good parent. My father, as he said, considered that my mother was doing more than enough for both parents, and chose to be less involved in parenting. As I have learned more about my parents' beliefs and values, I can more easily forgive them for the way they raised me. As I forgive them, I can more and more appreciate and be grateful for the strengths I have gained from my childhood. With this gratitude, I can enjoy life and contribute more to others.