My parents raised me...

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I grew up in a house where anything less than an A was failing, not saying "yes ma'am" or "yes sir" was akin to cussin', and my parents had extremely high expectations.  I didn't understand it then, but I do now.

My parents gave me discipline and taught me to be respectful and dependable.  My upbringing was not perfect, but in many ways  it was necessary.  There were some mistakes made along the way, but that's part of life and being a human being.  Some of those mistakes had harsh consequences.  However, I also learned the power of forgiveness.

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My parents raised me to respect my elders.  I learned along the way that respect does not mean yielding to the will of any adult in your presence.  That's not respect.  Nor do you have to give deference to people who mean you no good just because they are older.  It is a two way street.

I know how to help people who need help and to "teach people how to fish". I understand that I have responsibilities to myself and the world at large. I did not always agree with everything my parents said or did, but I respected them enough to keep most of my disagreements to myself.  They would allow me to ask questions about most things, however.

Somethings about life, I learned through the mistakes of others.  I know what sacrifice means because I heard no enough times to understand I won't always be given what I desire.

This weekend I spent time with my family at my niece's first birthday party.  Everyone was all smiles...the picture of a happy family.  It took work to get to this point.  Often people standing on the outside looking in, don't see the work that goes into having a family.  Not just having a bunch of relatives...but a family.

Niece's birthday cake 

Individuals are responsible for the hope and healing and love and health of a family.  Those individuals have to have hope and healing and love and health within themselves to add to the group.  No one ever talks about that part.  You just throw people together through shared DNA or marital bonds and think they are supposed to get along.

Family is created through relationships built, love shared, and dependability and reliability readily shown to one another.  That is family.  Family is not about selfish desires or blind independence.  That is not family.

Family is selfless, family is respectful, family is a unit.