In Honor of My Parents

This post is written out from a burden of my heart to share with my readers the appreciation I have for my parents, who I very much took for granted when growing up. I don't hold guilt for that, because what young child actually does hold gratitude for parents in the heat of the moment? The following is written with a genuine heart and hopefully comes across as humble.
I heard a quote on Dennis Prager yesterday which is worth its weight in gold. Prager said, "You know, your kids are going to hate you anyway. You might as well do what's right."
He must have met my parents.
I never truly hated my parents, but I sure did think they were annoying... a lot! When I was a little girl I just wanted to eat in front of the TV like other families. Why did my mother have to make polenta, lasagna, and other "adult" foods? Germany had McDonalds! They were strict on what I was allowed to watch when I was younger. Come on, a few sex scenes by the time I was eight wasn't going to hurt me, was it? Homeschool? I just wanted a locker! I didn't have a television in my bedroom until I was in high school. I also didn't have a computer in my bedroom until I was in high school, but it never did have the Internet connection. I wasn't allowed on one-on-one dates with guys. My mom knew all of my friends. No, I didn't hate them, but sometimes I sure did feel as though I was living and breathing them.
Oh, to be a child of a parent who wanted to be my friend rather than a ball and chain! Oh, to be parent with a hobby other than making my life miserable! Oh, the loss of a childhood! Well, to be honest I still did find a way around some of their torturous schemes. We won't go into detail, because I wouldn't want to spread tactical ideas for the younger generations. In all but one situation when I lied to my parents I got my heart broken. Those boys in high school never did act like the ones in the movies. That must have been what my mother had tried to explain to me. What's up with that? I can't say every situation ended in heartbreak. One of my web of lies ended with a marriage and three kids. But looking back I wish I had trusted in God's perfect plan and prayed instead of lying to my parents and breaking their trust after all they did for me.
Just in this past month I have heard of study after study backing up what my parents chose to do for me and the family. Brad and I won't be doing exactly everything they did as parents, but that's okay, because Brad and I still firmly believe that what my parents did set me on my feet to become a responsible and Godly wife and mother. We pledge to do the some of the same now that we have three children God has entrusted to us. Oh, the pressure we now understand. Again, our children are ultimately responsible for their own decisions, but Brad and I are responsible for building a foundation of truth.
No, my parents weren't perfect. I'm sure they would admit they made mistakes. By the way, Mom, if you feel like posting your mistakes I'd appreciate the feeling of wonderful vindication!
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for being so gosh darn annoying. I can only hope that my children think we're annoying as well. Maybe we'll be a little less annoying, because we do eat out a lot and watch more television than I ever had.
PS. This will be the last "ode to parents" that I have for a while, because I'm sure some of my readers and either rolling their eyes or throwing up. :)