My Parents, My Backbone

Sharlyn Tolentino Martinez

Every time I find myself in the midst of struggles and obstacles, the phrase
"My parents are my backbone" serves as a constant reminder that I always have the
strength to try again since I have my parents as my support system. In times where I
can find myself rejected, my parents are always there who motivates me. Even when
times that I fail and feel like I have all the flaws, my parents still accepts and adores
me.
I owe my parents for not just providing my basic needs but also for
consistently instilling into my mind that I am loved and that they would do anything
for me. They give tangible things that I need nor they dedicate intangible things just
like their time. Yes, my parents provide all the things that I needed but not all my
desires. When I say desires, these are the things that I wanted to have but isn’t that
important. They don’t want me to be spoiled by giving me the things that isn’t needed
to have rather they requires me to look for something that is essential.
My confidence booster and my companion to every battle, they give
inspiration and tenderness. In times of pleasure, they serves as my happy pill and in
times of sorrow, they lend me their shoulders to cry on and open their ears for my
unending stories. My parents are my knight, they lift me out of the muck of fights in
spite of all my setbacks and difficulties. In every fight, there’s a win, that’s my
parents that always reminds me that even if I failed, I still won because for me
winning is not just having a price, its having a person that is with you in every way,
its my parents.
However, sometimes my parents need to challenge me to make me realize that
life isn’t a joke and is not always blissfulness and endulgement. There’s also battles
that should be taken seriously. My parents taught me that I cannot always depend on
them. Hence, they allowed me to explore the bad and good things in this crazy world
to make me responsible in handling challenges.
One thing I deeply learned from my parents is that “never depend to anybody
because it will make you more misserable”. The more you rely to others, the more
you’ll get ignorant. No matter how difficult a situation is, always choose to fight and
face it because in order to learn new things, you have to try it. I’m greatful that they
encouraged me to conquer my fears and look for brighter side of every battle and
that’s why I’m here, facing you and talking in front of you.
In every step of the way, we always need guidance for us to know how and
what should we do in a particular thing. The person whom we have needed in the first
place is our parents that never get tired of teaching us for our own good. The person
who always sacrifice their time and knowledge just to make a better future for us.
Those tired eyes that really wanted to nap, those hurting muscles that wanted to rest
but they controlled it just to help me cross upon the path I’ll take.
Sometimes, I reflect myself to my parents. What if I become a Mom someday,
can I do the same thing as my Nanay? Is my future husband can love and understand
me just like my Tatay does to my Nanay? I know there are challenges that happened
to my parent’s lives, decisions and relationship but then they chose to burn the fire in
their togetherness and stayed because they have us, their daughters.
My dear gentle listener, may we always cherish the love that our parents given
to us. We must put into our hearts the words and encouragements of our parents.
Listen to every advise our parents given us. Open your hearts for the wrong doings
that your parents did to you. Open your mind for the good sides that your parents
does.
To my parents, I cannot express my gratitude in words because there’s no such
word that can define how greatful I am for having you. I know I have short comings
but then I’m doing my best to fill that missing piece. The word “thank you” isn’t
enough for those sleepless nights, unending care, my favorites times which is tender
times, those nourishing words, support specially in my dreams, unwavering love, for
providing my basic needs and lastly, for accepting me for who I really am.
Again, this is Sharlyn Martinez. Accountancy, Business and Management
student. I hope after this, you’ll realize how important your parents is.