One of the kindest, most healing choices we can make in life is to see our parents, not in harsh light that sharpens every blemish, and retains every childhood grievance, but through the soft focus of empathy, tempered by time and healing - seeing them as they aspired to be – perhaps as the people they might have been at their very best.
When our parents are alive, this gift is for them, and our relationship with them. After they have passed, the beneficiary is ourselves.
We who are parents ourselves are twice blessed for this loving choice. As our children witness and learn from our example, they may deem us worthy of the same indulgence.
