Parental guidance
I wonder if my parents are tired. Not necessarily physically, but mentally, internally.
Our family life right now is less than perfect, sure. But I'd like to think they should be less preoccupied with life's problems for a couple their age (early to mid 50s).
Sure, I could ask them how they are. But after getting into so many conflicts with them the past years, I've come to discover that Sarah and I are simply more straightforward and frank than they ever will be. So they might not take my direct inquiry on how they are too kindly, for it will lead to a discussion on their health, finances, etc. It would be like opening up Pandora's Box (like I said, less-than-perfect family life).
Blunt, borderline argumentative honesty. Must be a millennial thing.
I also wonder if Sarah turned out the way they expected us to be. You have to give it to them--they never interfered in our academic choices. Not once. I ended up studying Journalism, while Sarah took up Architecture (after being one of the country's top 50 UPCAT passers in 2010) and is graduating at the end of the month, cum laude. So for the first time ever, this family will not be having anyone enrolled in school. That's going to be a big change. For the first time, Sarah and I both will now be focused on consciously making decisions that directly affect the entire family.
My parents are getting older (fine, they're not yet senior citizens, but still--they will be in 10 years!), and deep inside me I'm scared that for various reasons, they won't lead happy lives as old people. I don't want that to happen, I really don't.
We've always striven to make them proud, Sarah and I. I hope we still do.
Our family life right now is less than perfect, sure. But I'd like to think they should be less preoccupied with life's problems for a couple their age (early to mid 50s).
Sure, I could ask them how they are. But after getting into so many conflicts with them the past years, I've come to discover that Sarah and I are simply more straightforward and frank than they ever will be. So they might not take my direct inquiry on how they are too kindly, for it will lead to a discussion on their health, finances, etc. It would be like opening up Pandora's Box (like I said, less-than-perfect family life).
Blunt, borderline argumentative honesty. Must be a millennial thing.
I also wonder if Sarah turned out the way they expected us to be. You have to give it to them--they never interfered in our academic choices. Not once. I ended up studying Journalism, while Sarah took up Architecture (after being one of the country's top 50 UPCAT passers in 2010) and is graduating at the end of the month, cum laude. So for the first time ever, this family will not be having anyone enrolled in school. That's going to be a big change. For the first time, Sarah and I both will now be focused on consciously making decisions that directly affect the entire family.
My parents are getting older (fine, they're not yet senior citizens, but still--they will be in 10 years!), and deep inside me I'm scared that for various reasons, they won't lead happy lives as old people. I don't want that to happen, I really don't.
We've always striven to make them proud, Sarah and I. I hope we still do.