Triggered by a commercial a while ago from a company that sells little books that one can gift to their parents, titled dad/mum, I want to hear your story, but that I haven't bought yet, I realized there are several things I have never asked my parents.
With my dad, I never talk much about emotions. With my mother, as a guy, I never really feel like talking about those things in person. Yet, I think it would be nice to ask them some of these things. I deeply respect them, and because they share several of my core values, as they are the ones who raised me, I'm sure I could still learn a lot from them and their life experience. Not just emotions, also about choices they've had to make in life and how they look back on those choices. Also, it would make for a nice memory once they are not there anymore. Which can happen sooner than one thinks.
So here I am asking you, SN, what are the things you would like to ask your parents, but never did? Or if they already passed away, what would have been the things you would have liked to ask them?
A few ideas from my own side:
- How did you know mum was the right person for you?
- How did you chose your career path, would you have chosen the same path in current day and age?
- What financial advice would you give me? Do you think your approach to saving still works today?
- ...
Not sure they would feel comfortable answering all questions, but come to think of it, I think they would appreciate this gift. It could also be something I ask them to fill in and only pass it on to me and my siblings after they pass away.