There are so many myths about Pelicans feeding their children with their own blood
According to one myth to ward off evil spells Pelicans pierce their breasts and feed their blood to their children as an antidote
Second myth says that when Pelicans can't find enough food for their kids they puncture their breasts and feed their children with their own blood
Third myth narrates that the mother Pelican kills her own offspring, and mourns them for three days; then she wounds herself and revives her children by the sprinkling of her blood and in the process loses her own life.
As I stepped out of the hall after defending my PhD thesis, I could feel my phone vibrating in my pocket, I took it out and it was my brother calling from UAE, he asked me where I was and I told him I have just defended my thesis, he sounded worried and told me that Ammi did not sound well when he talked to her a while back and was worried. I told him I was about to call and tell her and wanted her to be the first person to know. I had taken so long that I had nearly lost interest as well as faith in PhD but it was she who kept pushing me and in January she said, Nasir whenever I have asked you to do anything, you might take long but you have always done it, do this PhD for me and I said Jee Ammi Jee I promise I will now. My brother got a little sad and said, "Yar Abu nahi hain" and I felt a lump in my throat and replied, "Han yar he would have been so happy and proud" . He hung up and I called my mother, told her, " Ammi jee I have just defended my PhD thesis and I am a Dr now" she said Al Hamd O Lillah and started crying and in a breaking voice she said, " Tumhara baap aj nahi hai. Uss ne tum logon pe itni mehnat ki. Aapni jaan Mar Di. Kaash aaj woh zindah hota, Allah un ki maghfeyrat farmain. Aameen. I said Aameen, I couldn't stop my tears but didn't let my voice break, asked her about her health, she siad she was fine. I hung up and sat down on a chair in the corridor and I could see the face of my father imagining how proud he would have been. In middle class families where children are taught from very young age to be responsible and realisation kicks in at an early age that you won't have any assistance in building your career and life, whatever you become you have to be self made. For such families, children's such achievements are parents true earnings of life. I could just imagine him being present there with me, He would never have shown any emotions because he was like that, would have just said well done and that would have meant more than anything else. 
Our parents are like Pelicans they feed us with their blood and sacrifice their lives while making sure we live ours. May Allah SWT bless the souls of everyone's parents who have departed for their heavenly abode and may He grant health, happiness and a long life to all those alive. Cherish them, love them, respect them, they are the true blessings of Almighty