The Writers' Circle

I had a pretty childhood that most of my friends envied;
Average as it might seem, but to me it was very special;
Mum and Dad were always there from dawn till midnight
and made sure that every one was loved and safe all the time.

Family was very important  to us and to this, Mum and Dad
always made sure that every one of us understood the values 
and importance of love, respect, understanding and forgiveness,
so that we would grow up into loving and peaceful children of God.

A perfect family as one might seem, I let them down and failed their dreams; 
through all my failures and struggles, Mum and Dad 
were always there to take me back into their loving arms; 
through all my ups and downs, they would always 
Welcome back their Prodigal Daughter.

As the years went by, before I knew it, I found myself looking
at my parents' greying hairs. I knew then that the years had 
taken their toll unto my loving Mum and Dad, who devotedly, 
patiently, tirelessly and endlessly loved each and every one of us.

It was a true awakening for me that I did all my best to live up to 
their expectations.  How I wished I could take back  all the lost years
and take away all the heartaches I have caused them!   How could 
I repay them with pain and sorrow inspite of their unconditional love?

One day, it hit me really hard.  As I watched my Father in his sick bed,
I held his hand and whispered in his ear, "Dad, would you please forgive 
me for all my sins, the pains and the heartaches that I have caused you?"
He struggled to reply, "Yes, my daughter, I forgive you." In my heart , 
I knew he had truly forgiven me, 'for in my Father's eyes, I was special'.