My parents have always been heroes of mine. Not heroes in the "really good person" sense, but REAL super heroes, like Superman and Wonderwoman. Or Green Lantern and She-ra. Or Mork and Mindy. Take your pick.
Try to imagine my surprise and disillusionment when I discovered that my parents were people. Complete shock and amazement. They were people who are subject to all of the frailties of human existence, including sickness, depression, bad moods, cuts, scrapes, bruises, bad days, problems with others, mental derangement, rabies, bullets, and temptations. About the only thing my parents are truly invulnerable to, ironically, Krypton (and other noble gasses...:-) ).
So my parents have had to slog through this mess just like I am.
When I was fairly immature, I resented my parents for this. How dare they be fallible? How could they even think of not being absolutely perfect in every way, not having all the answers, of being mean-spirited at times. It seemed unforgivable.
But then I began to contemplate my own life, with my own frailties, foibles, mistakes, sins, transgressions, etc. I realized how much I struggle. If my parents truly are human beings like me, they have struggled with these things for just as long as me (if not longer). Who am I to judge them?
I also began to realize that my parents are, in fact, quite extraordinary people. Yes, still just people. But not ordinary. The things they have given me are much more valuable than the ability to fly or turn invisible or see through walls. They taught me to work, to learn, to love and respect, to appreciate and to laugh. They taught me what it means to live for someone. They taught me to think about others before I think of myself.
My parents have done things I would never do. And it's because my parents taught me that I have the courage and fortitude not to do them. They want me to be better than them - a feeling I never appreciated until I have had children. Now I understand what it means to hope that someone will be better than you, that they have a better life, better schooling, better opportunities, and that they take advantage of them.
At the end of the day, we are all just people trying to make it the best we can. Being a parent is tough - there's no guidebook, no instruction manual. All we can do is the best we can and pray that the Lord will make it good enough.
Besides, isn't the atonement all about making up for our imperfections? And if I believe in the atonement for myself, why is it of any less effect for my parents, my brothers and sisters, my wife, or anyone else? It is the sick who need the physician, not the whole. Are we not all prodigal?
So my parents are great and heroic after all....
I KNEW IT!!!
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