Cool Parents...

AJ on
Thingamababy

asks:

"Then answer the question: What's the coolest thing your mom or dad did for you when you were a kid? It doesn't need to be unique, or arsty or anything... just something special you recall from your childhood."

In my childhood I think I would have said they take us to the lake on the weekends, or we eat chinese food on Sunday together.

But now being an adult, one thing sticks out to me. A gift my parents gave me that can never be taken back, and I'm sure came about by complete accident. Because when you're raising 4 kids all within 5 years of age, how can anything be planned out!?! They let me be me.

I was a weird kid I think. Looking back, I always felt like a weird kid at least. I didn't like to play like the rest of the kids, or watch cartoons as much. My perfect day was to wake up early, watch a little Bob Ross and Frugal Cook, eat some raisin bran, draw or paint, sit on the side of the yard and pretend to be teaching school in a tent in africa, all while dressed in a plaid skirt, polka dot shirt, and cowboy boots. And do you know what...they let me. All the time they let me.

I hated playing sports, so they put me in ballet. Ballet was much more work than softball! But I loved it so much more too! And I know they probably couldn't afford it, and I only went to one set of classes, but I will always remember it, and I really did love it. And when I did play softball because that's where everyone else was for the season, I never got in trouble for sitting down in outfield and picking flowers or four leaf clovers instead of waiting for the ball. And I was never pushed to be in the advanced classes in school. I made good grades, and was good at what I knew, and I think that was enough. And I think they each knew that I preferred to have one on one time with people, because it seemed like I got to do that more than the others did. At least, that's how I remember it.

I don't think growing up I would have been an independent child, at least I didn't feel very independent. But I know now I must have had some sort of independence to be where I am today. They've always told me they were proud of me, when I got married first, and moved three states away, and had a baby that was not what any of us had expected. And now moving across the world. To start something new. They never say, you can't do that...or make me feel like I live in a dream world. I think they know that whatever they did, they must have done it right. And I haven't disappointed them yet, so why not go for it.

And the security in knowing that, is one of the best gifts my parents have given me...and I think that is way cool.