Parents are often the first people who teach us how to exist in the world. But sometimes all it takes is one incident for our image of them to be upended. Then we’re left with a new understanding that our parents are just people, fallible like us.
Tell us about a time when you saw a different side of your parents or elders. Maybe you realized they didn’t have all the answers — or you uncovered a secret about their lives before yours started. Perhaps they did something that surprised you. Or maybe you reached a moment of clarity years in the making.
Please send a voice recording (no more than two minutes) with your story to modernlovepodcast@gmail.com. Start by telling us your full name and where you live. Your story doesn’t need to be completely polished, but it should have a beginning, a middle and an end — and it must be yours.
NOTE: By leaving us a message, you are agreeing to be governed by The New York Times reader submission terms and agreeing that we may use, and allow others to use, your name, voice and message.
We look forward to hearing from you.
