The Commandments (of God) #4

Honor thy Father and Mother, that thy days be long in the land which the Lord gives thee.

I have known the christian commandments most of my life, and consider them an excellent guideline for good living. Of them all, this one is probably my favourite. I particularly like the second part - "that thy days be long in the land which the Lord gives thee".  
Both my parents were alcoholic. When they weren't drinking, they were the most awesome human beings it has ever been my privilege to know. They were smart, educated (mostly "self"), informed and evolved in their attitudes and thinking. And they drank.

I honoured my parents ... admired my Dad for his genius and sense of humour and my Mom for her incredible talents ... she sang, played several instruments, and was a home-maker extroardinaire. There was nothing my Dad could not build, or conceive of building.  I never "talked back" to either of them. I loved them both so much and I miss them both terribly. And they loved each other.

There are many ways to honour one's parents. Always speaking to them and about them respectfully is one; staying out of the kind of trouble that can land you in jail; educating yourself, working at something worthy and adding value to the family name; treating others with kindness and compassion, thereby honouring the morals and values they taught you. 

I realize there are many people who may not have had what they consider an ideal up-bringing. That really is not a reason to shame your parents or deny yourself the opportunity to become all you can be. It is never too late to honour your parents. 

As for myself ... well, I plan to live until I am, at minimum, 120 years old. It's the least I can do ... it will give me plenty of time to pass on all the best I received from my parents to my grandchildren, great-grandchildren and on down the generations! What will you do to honour your parents in the time you have been given?

Just a thought ...