The question is: how do you know you love your parents?

AND: how do you know they love you?

I know what it is to be in love.
I am madly in love with my partner of 10 years, so I am confident in that love.

Returning to my question: Is there a feeling?

I have pooled my friends and colleagues and most just shrug their shoulders and say, I just know.

I did have one friend who said, he knows he loves and is loved by his parents because of the sacrifices they made, the experiences were proof enough of love.

Sacrifice + experience = proof of love

How would you feel should your parents die?
I'm not sure I'd feel too much of anything; the one word that comes to mind is 'relief'.

It is hard for me to be objective about this question, for as you know, my childhood was fraught with a variety of abuses.

Don't you just love when parents say, ‘oh please, grow up, that was so many years ago...there comes a time when every child-adult must take responsibility for their lives’.

I whole heartedly agree....but what about when the parents are in their 60's and the child is in her 40's and her parents are still stunted.

Meaning that, for all the hard work I put into counseling, to further better understand myself and my ways, but to also dump the many pounds of bitterness and anger I held against them, only for them years later to still be completely 'useless' (I guess that's the word).

Last Question: you, your spouse and your 2.5 kids are on a boat. The boat tips. Who would you save?

Now, there isn't meant to be a right or wrong answer to any of the questions poised; however, I was stunned by those who said they would save their spouse. Because they could always have more children...that is the answer my parents gave when they were asked.