hate is a strong word

he comes home drunk friday nights. he's funny and witty at times. he's hardworking and loyal to the home unit. he loses his temper out of the blue in light of pent-up anger. he curses and swears. he shouts and is vulgar to his wife and children. yet he is the man whom i call 'daddy'. he does majority of the housework. he is always there for my sister. he tells the best jokes on earth in the funniest ways. he protects me in his own way. he loves my mother despite the quarrels and arguments. he loves my sister and sees good in her beneath all the disrespect and rudeness he gets in return.

she works darn hard for the family, for herself, for money and reputation. she is the most well-spoken person at home and she writes fluently. she is patient, loving, adoring and anything nice - only when she deems fit, as and when she likes. she is financially capable and independent. she quarrels with her husband often and will not admit defeat in an argument. she might keep silent and look dismayed, but she will think no wrong of herself. she contradicts herself but her arguments are often proven valid by herself. she is my mother. she loves my dad alot, a bold thing for a woman like her to try. she adores my sister and willingly gives her what she herself wants and wills to give; again, despite the arrogance and disrespect that return.

i - i'm home. and while this may not be a typical day at home, this is one of those days every week that i would do anything to avoid. i give, i give, and i give again... if i'm still unhappy and upset, if i still get disappointed and rejected, if they do what they seemingly do best, all i could do is to give...

give what? in a family, it's called 'give in'.

dear God, as a continue to love the people i love, teach me to love my family - even if it takes for me to start over and over again. thank You, Father. Amen.