Parents: The highest calling

 I remember a drive home from Utah. I had gone down for a date. The date went amazing. On the drive home I was talking to the person I went on a date with. She asked me to talk about my parents. I knew her parents already. Tears were shed. It was such a good conversation because I was just able to praise my parents for the heroes they are. This Blog will be about parenting. A lot of my insights from parenting come from observing my own parents but also so many other people who helped make me who I am.

My parents are imperfect people. They make mistakes. However everything they do is for us kids. Even when we are literal stupid head dumb dumb teenagers who do not understand. They always love and care for us. They work their butts off to help us and each other and so many other people. They just want us to be happy. They have given us this amazing gift of themselves. They have always taught me how to love and be kind. They taught me to keep trying even when it is hard. They taught me to have fun. 

When I was on my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints three of my grandparents passed away. Which was not fun. I was not able to go to the funerals because I was on my mission. I was able to watch thank goodness. However I could not be there for my parents. My dad who lost both his parents in the span of less than a year. My Mom who lost her Dad. Us kids were scattered all around the world literally. But my parents were strong. Helping us. Even though they had to be in deep pain. They always help us.

They do things we like to do. They set aside their own interests so we can be happy. They discipline us so we can learn that there is a better way to live. They taught us about Jesus Christ. How he is the way. They taught us discipline and hard work ethics. They also taught us to relax and just sit down and watch a movie together.

Over 3 years ago a very big father figure in my life passed away suddenly on a backpacking trip. One of my best friend’s dad passed away. 5 kids. All under 18. I had to tell my dad his best friend died. As fortune would have it, my dad was giving a talk that Sunday in our congregation. My dad, who's best friend passed away, got up there and bore his soul. Even when he was in pain he knew he had a job to do. To help us. Reid Barney, the man who passed away, was always helping. Always. During sleepovers he would just come downstairs with his iPad and talk to us. He has always treated us like son’s. And I know even now he is still watching over us. Especially on our missions. Each of us had and has him as a guardian angel.

On my mission so many people cared for me and loved me as parents do. They changed my life forever. So many people in my life helped me each step of the way. Leading me, guiding me, taking care of me. I owe my success to them. Without them I would not be who I am today. I am blessed. And that is what parenting is all about. Loving everyone. Which is what life is about. So Parenting is living. It is how we can be alive. Whether we are parents of children or helping younger people or giving advice we can all be parental figures one way or another. And we can all be better because of it. I am grateful for my parents Biological and otherwise. They have made me the man I am today. I am blessed