Many people say that these special “days” are just a way for shops and restaurants to rip us off. But to me, I think that it’s good to have special days set aside for the different people in our lives. How often do we thank our mothers? How often do we tell our fathers that we appreciate them? Not often enough I think. I don’t think a big elaborate gesture is what our parents ask for. Just spending some time with them over a simple meal will make them happy.

I used to always have headaches over what I should buy for my dad on Father’s day. I used to believe that each year’s present has to be more expensive than the last! But then I found out that the tie I bought for him has been hanging in his closet collecting dust (granted it had bright red chilies all over it. But it was cute!), and the book I bought was still in its plastic wrapper. Hence this year, I brought both my parents out for a simple Italian lunch where we could really talk and enjoy the food and company. I guess as we grow older, we become more busy with work and more occupied with our friends and other parts of our lives. But if I may quote from Kungfu Panda’s Oogway, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” So do remember to set some time aside to enjoy the present with your loved ones as well Hope you have a great start to the week!

(Photo by ChadScott)

Yes, I’m going to buy the Kungfu Panda dvd for my dad when it comes out