Things I Love/Appreciate About How My Parents Raised Me

1. I was never once made to feel like a failure/disappointment on an athletic field. (Though I was horrible at most all sports, it never mattered to them.)

2. My IQ Scores were kept from me until I was in college and I was allowed to drop out of the advanced course in school as soon as I wanted to be back with my friends and the rest of my class.

3. My father made it clear from an early age that no one is to disrespect my mother, my him, not me, not anyone, no exceptions.

4. They showed me that hard work, determination and love of family are more important than anything I could have been born with or learned in school.

5. They fostered in my sister and I a true sense that we were more than just siblings, but best friends. They encouraged us to work through problems and are responsible for the outstanding relationship she and I enjoy today.

6. Racism, Sexism, Homophobia and other such attitudes were not just frowned upon, but seen for that they are, weak, fearful, unloving and necessary expressions.

7. Words like “stupid”, “fat”, “ugly” and “hate” were treated with utter distain. And don’t you dare let my mother hear you tell someone to “Shut up.”

8. It was not only OK for boys to cry, but OK for everyone to laugh at ourselves, at each other, at life and at anything. Emotions, both positive and negative were always embraced. (Though not allowed to be used as an excuse for bad behavior.)

9. Different options were never talked down. In fact, there were encouraged. I learned early on that it was OK to challenge ideas, to respect those who disagree and to learn from as many people as I could. Though they never said the words, my parents gave me the attitude that an unchallenged belief or idea is weak and that the only way to strengthen it, is to have it challenged.

10. They showed me that a successful marriage is equal parts love, trust, respect and compromise. They didn’t scream at each other in front of us, but didn’t fear showing us the good and the bad so that we could watch them work together to get past any problem.