Parenting

   
     You can be a parent without giving birth, without adopting or fostering, without replacing or sharing the responsibilities of a family member.  In the broad sense of the word, you are a parent when you take care of yourself and others.
     Most everyone is grateful for having loving parents who brought you up right.  They provided what you needed before you could provide for yourself and became important role models.  They will love and give you what they can until they die.  When we become parents, we learn what it really takes to bring up a child.
     Everyone needs a parent to protect, provide, love, teach, forgive, and encourage us.  At times, we must parent ourselves.  We should also parent other people.  This doesn't mean we are older and wiser but that they could benefit from our attention and help.
     Some say God is the Perfect Parent.  Others say that when we don't feel capable enough to provide all our own needs, we fashion a god who does.
      Being a parent is being an adult.  Human beings need each other to survive.  No matter how independent we become, we seek guidance and comfort in our relationships with each other.  Parenting is taking care of yourself and others.