Parents

As we are now between Mother's Day and Father's Day, and me being older, I pause to reflect on my parents.

I have a lot to be thankful for in the 2 people that decided to have me. While like all people they are not perfect, they also were not a lot of other things as well. They were, and still are, good parents. They provided me, my brother, and sister, a loving home. While we were not rich, we do not wallow in poverty. While we had arguments, we were not abused emotionally or physically. While my parents were strict, they were also lenient in other things. None of us kids has done jail time by the way. While they controlled a lot of things, when the time came they let go.

My Dad is a real character. The first time I heard him really yell loud was at one of the grand kids for letting a cat out of the house. I almost had heart failure and just about peed my pants due to surprise. And, at this point, I had been married for a few years. He has a very even temper, something I don't have. He also can be a man of few words but when he has something important to say one should listen.

My Mother is the more emotional one and I am like her. We both share a fondness of liking to chat with others. We both have many words. Mom is a great animal lover unless it's birds. Something happened in her youth and anything that flies is her eternal enemy. She is an expert on cats after having so many over the years. When I need unofficial Vet advice, I usually give her a call.

The best thing about my parents today is that they are more than just parents to me. Our relationship is one of genuine friendship and equality. I can only hope to master the parenting skills they have mastered over the years, especially since I have a daughter I affectionately call "Little Rolling Thunder". If you know her you will understand.

For those of you that did not come from a good solid home, my heart goes out to you. But, with God on your side, you can have the home you did not have as a child. Never let the past overcome the future.