I owe it to...

[unpakwon]

Would you please paraphrase the following in bold? And who does "their" refer to?

Some of my friends jokingly tell me I have an illness to be so completely obsessed by purpose. I see it a different way: I am fortunate to know exactly why I am on this planet. I feel a larger responsibility that goes beyond one person's purpose. I owe it to my deceased parents to make their lives count. I owe it to my adopted parents for their sacrifice in raising me, and above all I owe it to my people in Colombia, whose existence I can improve.

Thank you.

 

[Barb_D]

I have an obligation to my parents so that my parents' lives will not have been wasted.

 

[unpakwon]

It's a big help.

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

"Their" is used twice. In the first instance, it refers to "my deceased parents". In the second instance, it refers to "my adoptive parents".