I have been living on my own for some time. During this period, I have been reluctant to believe that my parents always knew what was best for me. I was very unwell with my mental health treatment. They saw and heard that I was not myself. At times, they had to alter their plans. They wanted to be close in case a crisis ever arose when I was at my worst points. Even though I do not see me at my unwell points, they were capable of. They were concerned and I couldn’t see their worry or concern because I was not well. Now I can fully see that they have my best interests at heart. They still want to make sure that I am taking care of myself completely.

I fought a battle within myself for many years. I did not believe it was hurting me. But my parents have been with me all my life. They saw me at my worst over two decades ago. They were at wits end. They had to put me in a residential treatment facility. I used to be angry at my mother for making that decision. Lately, I realized that it was the best decision. It got me on the medication cocktail that makes the man I am today.

Over two decades later, I was defying all that hard work. They put in a tremendous amount of effort to have me in their life. I had seen it hurt them many times. Shouting matches and cars sped off down the street were far too common. It was hurting them, and I couldn’t see that they cared for the right reasons. They wanted me at my best. They knew it took doing what they had known worked to make things the best that they are. I couldn’t see as I was hurting myself. They were worried that the worst possible situation was prone to happen. I had no sense of danger because it was the illness talking.

We look through the events that my family has experienced in the past year or so. Even so, my parents still know when I am not my best self. There are still moments when my parents prompt me. They remind me to do the things I need to do to care for myself. I began to view these moments as acts of care, concern, and love. I did not see them as irritating. I stopped wanting them to align with what they expected of me. They have dedicated so much of their time. They made sure that I had the best life that I can have. For most of my independence, I defied what they had said. I believed what I was doing was best for me. But that was the illnesses talking from doing what they had stressed me throughout my life.

Eventually I realized that they said things that were at times intrusive and real. They did this because they cared about me. They wanted to make sure I was taking care of myself. It was not that I had to live to their agenda of their way of life. They wanted to make sure that I was mentally well because they often knew that I wasn’t. There have been other reasons. They always saw me as the person I be. This happened when I was taking care of my mental health. They knew that with the right tools, medication included, I do whatever I invested my energy in.

I realized I had to take my parents’ advice to heart. They were my biggest supporters. They knew when things were not right. They always worried about the dangers of the world. They believed I can handle whatever challenges crossed my path. They didn’t want me to end up being in a worse state than I needed to be in. I have also realized how fortunate I am to have both parents in my life. They have supported and encouraged me through thick and thin. There have been times when I was frustrated with them, but we all feel that way at times. But they saw through my challenging moments. They saw their unwavering support, care, and love for me as I go on with my life.