Sunday, September 4, 2011

I Am a Child of Wonderful Parents

I am from what the media calls a traditional family. My brother, sister and I grew up in a loving and humble household with both of our biological parents. Our wonderful biological parents. 

According to the Washington Times, families consisting of a married couple with children under age 18--traditional families--have not been in the majority since 1967, but we never knew that.

Mom & Dad, back in the day
Giant bonus points for the fact that my parents are open-minded and all-inclusive. We mixed it up with every type of person, every type of family unit. We hosted foreign exchange students from various countries. When kids weren't getting along with their own parents, they’d crash with us until the storm blew over. Our house was the holiday go-to place for people who didn’t have anywhere else to go. Our doors were open to anyone at any time.  My parents always had food, jokes, an empathetic ear, a warm make-shift bed or a funny story to share with whomever needed it. We never gave any thought to differences, to privilege, to haves and have-nots. We were blissfully unaware.

I don't mean to give the impression that it was all Ozzy and Harriet at our house, it wasn't. My siblings and I gave my parents plenty of trouble growing up. We're all strong-minded, opinionated and curious. It couldn't have been easy for them. Still, they doled out the right amount of discipline mixed with respect and love. We always knew they were in charge.     


Mom & Dad now
It’s only when I went away to college that I realized how different my parents were, that we were in the minority. We still are; my mom and dad recently celebrated their 62st anniversary. 

My brother and sister are both happily married with families of their own, doing their part to keep the traditional family going. 

Even though we've scattered, we take every opportunity to congregate as a family unit. We do it out of love and also out of fun. We genuinely have fun together. Loud, raucous, unrestrained fun. Those of you who know us *in real life* could probably tell some tales! 

Yep, I am a child of wonderful parents.


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This post is in participation with the Group Blogging Experience, and this week’s prompt is children and/or parent(s).  If you want to blog with us, go to the GBE2 Facebook page and request to join the group. Everyone is welcome.

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14 comments:

  1. This is a good post. In my house, it's more Ozzy and Sharon. :)

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  2. I didn't think such families existed anymore. Wanna little brother?

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  3. This is so wonderful. Your parents look so happy!! Thanks for sharing--it put a smile on my face!

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  4. How wonderful to have such wonderful parents!! You were truly blessed! Left me smiling!

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com/

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  5. What a wonderful family and your parents simply look amazing!

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  6. It's lovely to see that some of us manage to leave childhood relatively unscathed. I hope some day The Parasite speaks half as kindly about us. :)

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  7. Three cheers for traditional families (I'm from one, too - my friends called my family "The Waltons" growing up). Congrats to your parents!

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  8. This is a post few could have done. I am happy for you and your memories and also very happy for your parents who found the key to a good home for their kids to 'become'.
    Really enjoyed reading this.

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  9. You are so lucky, Langley. I'd love to have had parents like yours.

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  10. My immediate family try to congregate with our relatives on both sides of the family as much as we can: luckily we're not very scattered for the most part!

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  11. How wonderful! Your parents provided you and your siblings with a priceless gift.

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  12. It's awesome you have such a wonderful family. Cute photos of your folks, too.

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  13. Hi, I tried to become a follower of yours but it said couldn't except now try again later. So I will try again before i go.
    You are so lucky to have a good family.....
    I did not!!!!!
    Fern

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