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In reply to the discussion: how old were you when you forgave your parents? [View all]True Dough
(17,305 posts)I think I was in my late 20s when it dawned on me just how many sacrifices my parents made for my sister and I. There were so many things I just expected and took for granted as a child and a teenager. I had no idea of the things that they deprived themselves of in order to afford brand-name clothes, extra-curricular memberships, toys and games and on and on. They managed to keep finances in check on my dad's modest military income but usually gave us what we wanted, always what we needed. There weren't many "extras" at all for themselves.
I don't know why they didn't say "No" more often. I guess their gratification came from seeing us happy.
Fortunately I landed a good job and held it for about 15 years. With all the money I was making I was able to repay them in many ways with gifts they enjoyed, and, just as importantly, I told them on several occasions that I truly appreciated and was in awe of their selfless nature. Mom is gone now, she died almost three years ago. She gave so much, for more than material objects, and taught me a lot. I can never put a value on it.