Just one example: a few years back my dad finally got a new car. Between a wife and his six kids, he's never really had nice things, and he was pretty excited about his brand new Honda civic. He only had one rule, the dog (a boxer) wasn't allowed in it. Fair enough, if you want to bring the dog somewhere, take the shitty old suburban. My mom and I needed to make a grocery store run, and she wanted to bring the dog. I asked if we were taking the suburban in that case, and she responded that we weren't. I told her that I don't think it's much of a sacrifice to do this one thing for my dad, she just kept saying dismissively "oh, he'll be fine!"

We get to the store, crack the window, and by the time we get back, he had chewed the living shit out of the seats and door interior. My mom said "well he's gonna be annoyed haha" she didn't give a flying fuck that her negligence had just ruined the only nice thing her husband ever owned.

Fast forward to just last month.

I was having a little family party at my house, and my parents were going to leave my dog at their house with their dog while the party was happening. My dad came over in his new mini van that he traded the civic in for about a year ago (it may be pathetic, but it's all the man has) to help me set up. When he was done he ran back home. I took my dog to my parents house and my mother was visibly annoyed.

"Why didn't dad take your dog over here!?" She asked. "Oh, I didn't ask him to. I know he doesn't like dogs in the nice van, so I wasn't going to ask him." I responded. "Ugh" she grunted in frustration "he could have just put him in the back, it would have been fine." I got a little stern with her after that "look, the man hasnt ever had anything nice in his life, he works hard to provide for his family, and is never met with any gratitude. He is always there to help those in need, he lives to see his children smile. He is selfless to a fault I want him to have this because he deserves it. He won't demand respect for himself, so I will. A five minute drive to take my dog to your house is nothing compared to the sacrifices he's made for me, so I'll do it gladly. Give this man a fucking break."

Best part? She didn't give a fuck about my heartfelt monologue. She's my mom, and I know she loves me, she does a thousand nice things for me, but I've yet to see her grant my father any amount of respect in my 26 years of life.