This I Believe

I believe in parental love. There is nothing in this world that is more important than the love a child gets from parents. Parents are role models in life and they pass down many things to their children.

What is parental love? Love to me is working the night shift so you can see your children. My mother did this for years when I was growing up. She would work the nights and sleep all day just so she could pick up her two sons from school and spend the rest of the day with me and my brother. Love to me is working the night shift.

What is parental love? Love to me is playing a simple game of catch. My father would play catch with me for hours. He would get home from work and we would go in my front yard and play catch. He would teach me the game of baseball and how to throw the ball. He would always say “Josh, step and throw.” He didn't have to play with me but he did. Some days he would be tired after work, but he still played catch. Love to me is playing a simple game of catch.

What is parental love? Love is sacrifice. My parents have sacrificed so much of their time and money over the years, just so I can play sports. They drove me to soccer practice when I was little and they still travel to my college games every weekend. They sat through double headers in 95 degree weather as well as snow and sleet for football games. They are not fair weather fans. They have travel across the United States and back for tournaments and have sacrificed so much of their money for equipment. They also wait for me after every game to give me a hug and kiss and tell me how much they love me. Love is sacrifice.

What is love? Love is going to college only fifteen minutes down the road. The main reason for going to John Carroll was to be close to my parents. I could have gone to a school hours away or even out of state but I wanted to stay close to home. I wanted to be able to see my parents all the time and go home when I wasn't busy. And, no, not just to bring home my laundry and to get a good cooked meal. It was so I could still see my parents. I love my parents and everything they have done for me. They are my role models in life and I can only hope to give my children the same amount of love they have given me. Love is my parents.

Joshua Rentz

Josh Rentz