Once two sisters decided they wanted to move from their upstairs bedroom down to the basement. They spent hours on the internet searching until they found the perfect bedding for their new room. The day finally arrived for the big move. One mattress was brought down. Then the second. Each was setup with great care and the new bedding meticulously placed. As the pictures were hung and the decorations placed, the sisters felt anxious. Nothing matched. As they crawled into their beds and tried out the new bedding, it didn't feel as comfortable as their old, worn blankets.
Suddenly, tears began to fall and before their mom could react, both daughters were sitting in her lap sobbing. The mother looked incredulously at her four-year-old son who stood there in disbelief and as dumbfounded as his mother. Neither knew what had just happened. When the tears subsided and words could be spoken, the girls explained they liked their old bedding, their old decorations, and their old bedroom. So at 11:00 at night, the beds were returned to the old room and everything was placed back in its rightful place.
Time passed. Each girl learned more about herself and each grew in maturity. Now a little older and wiser, they decided it was time to make the move. Once again, they found the perfect bedding. They didn't care the decorations and pictures didn't match. They were ready. Everything was moved and it all felt right. No fear. No apprehension. No turning back.
One day, their aunt came for a visit. She saw one nestled beneath her covers, enjoying a few more moments wrapped in the warmth. She watched the other throw her clothes in a pile on the floor and rearrange the things on her dresser as if she had been doing that for years.
The aunt reflected back to how she felt when the girls first tried to move. How, at the time, she felt the same way: wanting to go back to her old bedroom with her worn, comfortable bedding. What the aunt now realized is how the passage of time helped her to learn more about herself. She too was more confident. More assured of what she wanted. More passionate. More hopeful.
The parable of the bedroom took on a special meaning for the aunt that day. She knew exactly what she wanted and hoped for the opportunity. No more fear. No more apprehension. No turning back. She was ready.
His children have always been a source of pride for him and he has loved each of us unconditionally.
He always greets my mom with a kiss, cuddles with her on the couch, and holds her hand as they travel through life.
He has sacrificed so much for his family. He would work long hours so we could participate in sports, music, and other activities. My dad loves a good adventure and he always wanted to be part of the fun even though we often wore him out.
Once when I was having financial troubles because of a mix-up at ASU's graduate office, I approached my parents about possible solutions to the problem. My dad got a big grin on his face and started singing "You Ain't Never Had a Friend Like Me" and offered a different solution. My dad has always supported and helped me. My dad is absolutely wonderful and he is right. I've never had a friend like him.
