Hello and happy holidays! This is one of my favorite times of the year. Not just because of Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas or Kwanzaa…it is also my birthday month. That’s one reason why my parents named me Holly. I was born a week before Christmas. They must have been thinking of “Deck the halls with boughs of holly.”

And to their credit, they always kept birthday and Christmas gifts separate. I never felt cheated about celebrating my birthday just before the Christmas holiday. That’s what parents do. They take care of their children and do their best to show them how much they love them. Parents are not only powerful, they are caring and supportive of their children. Parents make sacrifices for their children, in addition to being their teachers and role models.

Unfortunately, some parents don’t know how to use their parenting power in a way that is healthy and not harmful. They are more concerned with being a friend to the children rather than a teacher and guide. Don’t get me wrong: there is plenty of time to be friends after children are older and are on their own. But first and foremost they need a parent to lead them and guide them through childhood.

My parents, Thompson and Eva were wonderful parents to my six siblings and me. We continue to do our best to honor them in our daily lives and with our families. They still inspire us to be the best we can be.

Parents are a blessing. Parents have power.

I wish you a blessed Christmas season. Now, excuse me while I go deck some halls to celebrate my birthday!