Parents teach their children so much. And I’m not just talking about the things they want to instil in their kids. They also pass on things they don’t even know they’re teaching. Because when mom is kind to a waiter or dad is dismissive to a taxi driver, children pick up on their behavior and emulate it. Which is why the story about a mother who serves burnt toast for dinner is so touching. The boy in the story notices that his father doesn’t complain about the burnt toast. Wondering why, he asks his dad about it. And his father’s answer is just as moving as his act of eating the toast was in the first place. But the best thing about the toast incident is the obvious effect it had on the son, who still remembered the story years later. I’m not sure if the burnt toast story is really true, but it almost doesn’t matter. Either way, it’s a perfect example of our parents help shape us into the people we are today. So as a tiny thank you to this dad all of the parents out there who are like, I thought I’d share this story below.
“When I was about eight or nine, my mom liked to cook food and every now and then I remember she used to cook for us. One night that stood out in my mind is when she had made dinner for us after a very long and rough day at work. She placed a plate of jam and extremely burned toast in front of my dad. Not slightly burnt but completely blackened toast.
I was just waiting to see if anyone noticed the burnt toast and say anything. But dad just ate his toast and asked me if I did my homework and how my day was. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember I hearing my mom apologizing to dad for burning the toast. And I’ll never forget what he said: ‘Sweetie, I love burned toast.’
Later that night, I went to tell my dad good night and ask him if he really liked his toast burned. He put his arm on my shoulder and said,’Your momma put in a very long day at work today and she was very tired. And besides, a burnt toast never hurts anyone but you know what does? Harsh words!’
Then he continued to say, ‘You know, life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people I’m not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like every other human. What I’ve learned over the years, is that learning to accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences is one of the most important keys for creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the people who treat you right and have compassion for the ones who don’t.’”
Share if you think this dad has an important message for us all.
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