My Parents

This blog is dedicated to the two most important people in my life: Dad and Mom. You both are the reasons I am who I am. Man, I can still feel those spankings from back in the day, but you know what? They shaped my accountability and disciplined me to live the right way. It also gave my butt a higher pain tolerance level. So thanks. Guys, I wish you could truly grasp how proud it makes me to say that I am your son. Never do I hear anything remotely negative about either of you. The way you have conducted yourselves throughout your lives has shaped my life for the better.

Our family name has lived long because of the character and dignity of Vanmali Dada and Amarat Dada. Dad, you have equally lived up to them, and I promise you that I will do the same. “Friends will come and go, but your family will always be here.” That’s a quote from you that I will never forget, and I will pass it down to my own children. You’ve showed me where hard work can bring you. Many parents may give their kids motivation by saying that they can do whatever they want to do by putting their mind to it. You, on the other hand, completely missed the traditional parenting memo. You’ve taught me that change is inevitable and to take care of your family, your demeanor and mentality must remain steadily confident to help you survive. Changes are a part of life. Don’t let them break you, rather let them shape you.

Mom, I honestly don’t even know where to start with you. I can feel myself tearing up, and I don’t understand why. I love you more than you could ever imagine. You work so hard, and I sometimes take it for granted. But I promise you this, it has not been overlooked. When Dad has shown me the tough and serious aspect of life, you have taught me to do that in a loving manner. You are the hardest working woman I know, and you do it all with a smile on your face. You have so many responsibilities, and you finish each job with diligence and totality. I may have to blame you for why I am chubby, but hey, you cook some dang good food too.

I know you guys aren’t the type of parents that like to hear this kind of stuff, but I thought I would show you how much I really do appreciate you. You have given me the keys I need to living a successful and rewarding life. I know you both have told me that you don’t want me to live the life you do because you guys work 24/7 with a ton of stress. Let me simply tell you why I think your life is rewarding—you have raised a son who is family-oriented, dedicated, loving, hardworking, and ready to face the real world. Thank you.

in Your arms.

“It's been so long since I have met You here
Since I have said these words or cried these tears
And like a child would come I run into our secret place
And as the music fades, the tears are rolling down my face

I am alive in this moment
In this moment I am found
I am alive in this moment
In this moment I belong”
- Starfield

Dirty, torn, beaten, heavy laden, burdened, bogged down, stressed out, filthy, distraught, shattered….broken. Recently, I have felt all of these, but mostly shattered and broken. Like a desert in the middle of an oasis, scum on a clean surface, darkness in a lighted room, or just a weak and pathetic person. I have been chained to my sins and was content with that. That’s when a reality check came in. I needed it. Badly. It had been so long since I met with Him, talked to Him, and just poured my heart to Him. I had forgotten I was His child. All He wanted was to wipe my tears away, make me smile, hold me, comfort me… BE there for me. I had forgotten I was a princess to the Most High King. Instead, I was acting as a lonely orphan lost in life when He came and took me under His wing.
I was broken . . . He put the pieces of me back together.
I was dirty, and He made me clean.
I was beaten and heavy laden, and He took my profound load.
I was stressed, and He comforted me.
I was distraught, and He relieved me.
He has picked me up off my feet to carry me through. I am finally alive, because of Him. No longer an orphan, in THIS moment I am found. I AM alive in this moment, because of Him, ONLY Him. No longer broken, I am mended. No longer in chains, I am free. No longer finding somewhere to belong, I am home, in His arms… right where I belong.

-Faith Fallin