Appreciation

I was on the phone the other day with my mom.  She called right as I was leaving the courthouse parking lot.  Several years ago, unbeknownst to me, my parents purchased some savings bonds so that they could help my sister and I pay off our student loans.  One of those bonds matured this year so my mom called to tell me that she made a payment to my account.  She was being sweet and telling me how it wasn't very much but hopefully it'll help a little bit, etc etc...I, on the other hand, was feeling impatient and rushed while trying to get out of the garage and head to a satellite office.  While my mom was going on about the relatively modest amount of the bond, I was handing my parking ticket to the lady at the booth who returned it with a receipt.  While still on the phone I said "thank-you very much" to the lady at the booth and heard my mom respond on the other end of the line, "oh, you're welcome honey, sorry it wasn't more."

Feeling immediately awkward, I resisted the urge to clarify who I was speaking to.  Instead, I just let it slide.  I once asked my sister why it is that she never got moody or pissed off with her friends at work and I'll always remember her response.  She said that because we were family and knew her so well that we were supposed to put up with it; others just didn't know her as well so she couldn't be like that.  I guess they wouldn't understand, and we would?  Oddly enough, as ridiculous as her statement was at the time, as it turns out - she was absolutely right.  She wasn't right in the sense that it should be that way, but right in the sense that people treat those that they're closest to more abrasively for the exact reason she mentioned.  I was the classic example of that sentiment last week. 

It was a wake up call, for sure.  I think its easy to expect people to know that you love and appreciate them without showing it.  Its especially easy for those that you're closest to, like family.  I know that I personally can't understand why those that I love wonder if I'll be there to do something for them, or be there for them in any way.  Personally, its what I live for.  I'm fiercely loyal and protective of my close friends and family.  I would do anything for those that I care about.  Guess this was just another (albeit embarrassing) reminder of how I need to remind those that I love that I appreciate them.