Siga-me

Roberto Henry Ebelt

Parents não significa parentes. Essa dupla é o que denominamos “falsos cognatos”.

Parents significa, assim, no plural, PAIS (o conjunto de pai + mãe).

Parente é relative. Isso posto vamos a este belo texto sobre essa dupla sem a qual não existiríamos:

When we opened our eyes, in this world, we saw two special people bending over our crib: (crib means SMALL BED FOR A BABY) our father and our mother. During the first years of our lives, we felt dependent on them and, even the simple fact that they were looking at us, felt very comforting to us. Thus, we learned how to walk, supported by their arms. Our injuries were treated with bandages and kisses. We learned how to ride a bike, how to face the waves of the sea and the waters of the swimming pool. Their hands took us to school and, when we were left there, by ourselves, for the first time, it seemed as though something had broken inside of us. Were we being abandoned? However, at the end of the day, we returned home and learned that school was just a place to be for a few hours. It was a place to learn, to make new friends, to grow up. Happily, there was always a place to go back to, our home. There we had the comfort of the family, the fatherly safety, and the motherly affection.

As time went by, we were no longer dependent. We could walk with our own feet, act on our own will, and raise ourselves to higher or lower flights.

Then some of us started looking at our parents in a different way. Who are these people who want to control our lives? Who are they to tell us what we should or should not do? Who are they, after all?

Our parents are Spirits who, usually, have long-term affective ties with us. They are friends who accepted having us as their children, wishing to shorten the distance between us and our progress. They are Spirits who predisposed themselves to offer us a body, to protect us, and to love us.

Exceptions do exist; it is true. Spirits who are not such good friends are reunited in the domestic environment for adjustments of a somewhat cloudy past. Even so, they molded us a body, allowing us to live again in this world, and we should be grateful to them for that. If, in these times of violence, they wish to know where we will go and with whom, it is because they worry about us.

If they set a curfew* (CURFEW means TOQUE DE RECOLHER – HORA DE VOLTAR PARA CASA) for us, if they look for us when we are late, it is because they are concerned with our safety.

*CURFEW comes from French COUVRE FEU – COBRIR O FOGO OU A FOGUEIRA. DEPOIS DE APAGAR O FOGO É HORA DE SE RECOLHER.

If they insist (that) we study more or try harder it is because, more experienced with the maturity that we still don´t have, they wish to see us climbing the steps towards success.

If they impose discipline on us, if they demand we have moderate attitudes, it is because they wish to help us in our progress. For that, the Great Architect has trusted them as our guardians. Due to the fact that this commitment is registered in their spiritual memory, just as it is in the ties of affection that unite us, they care about us.

Let us think of that and, before complaining, let us look at our parents with gratitude. Let us live with them as best as we can. After all, they will not be with us forever. Sooner or later, they will be transferred to another world, so let us enjoy the best of their company and wisdom while they are with us. Tomorrow they may no longer be with us. By being kind, affectionate and gentle to them, we will have sweet memories to hold on to.

The above text was based on contents of the site www.reflexao.com.br and was originally published here in May 2012.

Have an excellent day.