Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them. They move on. They move away. The moments that used to define them - a mother's approval, a father's nod - are covered by moments of their own accomplishments. It is not until much later, as the skin sags and the heart weakens, that children understand; their stories, and all their accomplishments, sit atop the stories of their mothers and fathers, stones upon stones, beneath the waters of their lives
In the journey of life, parents often struggle to release their children as they grow, leading children to eventually detach themselves. As they establish their independence, children prioritize their own achievements over the validations they once sought from their parents. This transition marks a shift in their focus, as they begin to seek fulfillment in their own lives rather than in parental approval.
Years later, as they age and face the inevitable realities of life, children come to realize that their successes are built upon the foundations laid by their parents. These relationships and sacrifices serve as the underlying support for their personal journeys. The metaphor of stories lying beneath the surface serves to remind them that their accomplishments are intrinsically linked to the love and efforts of their mothers and fathers, forming an essential part of their own narratives.