Now that I am older, I am more mature. I realize I did not always allow myself to believe what my parents told me. They had said I needed to believe and do certain things. But what they had told me was always factual. They saw me go through more things than I was aware of while growing up. They knew what I had to do. While they let me experience life, it came at a price. This cost affected not only them, but me too. Through it all, I understood that even if I didn’t believe it, they always had my best interest at heart.

I moved out of their home and into my own. I had thought that I knew what was best for me. I believed this more than I knew what reality was. It was often the disease. I also had the fever for wanting my own space and way of living. Yet, I did not understand what that really was. I was constantly doing things that defied the odds. My actions made my family and others scared and feel a host of other negative emotions. I was not seeing that my parents always knew me best. They had my best interest at heart, regardless of what I allowed myself to think.

They were always there. They had things to help me when I needed them. I made countless pointless and destructive decisions. Even if I didn’t see how I was, deep down they were always there. They were aware when I needed them, and they knew I was not mentally well. I realized that my actions broke them and others who loved, cared, and supported me. I finally understood I needed to return to what they had always known and taught me. They did not always believe they needed similar things themselves. When they saw me with a good quality of life, it had a profound impact on them. They understood where I came from at my worst. They realized, as I recently had, that it held tremendous value.

I did not always agree with my parents. Eventually, I understood that they were among the supporters who had my back. They knew what was best for me, more than I wanted to believe. Their support helped me through some really bad spots. Even as their lives changed in recent years, I knew they were there for me when I needed them. If they couldn’t do what was needed, they found a way to make it happen.

My life was much different than what it is now. I have learned and grown from all the mistakes we have made over the years. I always know that my parents were my cheerleaders and biggest supporters. They continue to be, even when I didn’t want to think so. They still know what is best for me and are my biggest fans.