As children, our lives are affected by a network of people. These people are the fibers that form the fabric of our lives. Here are the fibers of my being.
Debbie – November 29th, 1956 – Mom
My mother was the nurturer in my family. I never attended daycare or preschool, so she was also my first teacher. She prepared me for school the way any outstanding preschool teacher would have. She spent time with me, loved me, cried with me, and healed me. Mommy’s kisses always made everything better. She told me how smart I was and how beautiful I was. She always told me I could do ANYTHING I wanted when I grew up, if I just put my mind to it.
My Mother’s role in my life has never really changed. I look to her often for advise and guidance on everything from housework to fashion. The only thing that has changed is that we are more like friends now than a mother and her little girl.
Tracy – April 8th, 1956 – Dad
I love my father. While I was growing up, he was a pilot in the Air Force. This meant that he was often away from home on a flight or working late hours in the office. Being a military man, he was always stoic and firm; the strong, silent type. He was smart beyond comprehension and was always willing to help me with homework or science projects. He was a man who was strong in his faith and was always with us in church on Sundays and set a Godly example to his children.
As my brother and I grew up, Dad learned to loosen up a bit. He began to laugh more and joke with us. He is now retired from the Air Force and works for Boeing. He is not the same man that I knew when I was young. He is still very steady and focused, but he smiles more and has gotten better about showing his love. He showed me what a loving husband and father looked like, and now I am married to a wonderful man who loves me and is the spiritual leader in our household.
Rick, Richard, or Ricky – February 2nd, 1981 – Brother
Growing up, I always wanted to be like my older brother. He is five years older than me, and the only sibling I ever had. He was the coolest thing that my mind could fathom. Looking back, I realize what a dork he was!!! I’m glad I didn’t realize this, because I sure did enjoy tagging along and imitating him, even if he hated it. He was a leader in our church youth band and I always looked up to him musically and spiritually.
Being five years older than me, he was married before me and is a parent before me. He has a beautiful wife, son, and dog that love and adore him for the dork that he is. He is the spiritual leader of their home and I still look up to him as a model for my life and household.
Rene – May 26th, 1986 - Me
Being raised in an Air Force home (or homes…I lived in 8 houses before I graduated high school!), we never lived near family. By the same token, we never lived any place long enough for anyone outside of my immediate family to impact my life to any great extent. I wouldn’t trade my childhood for any in the world. I received so much love and support from the few people that were close to me and I saw and got to do things that many adults haven’t even seen or done.
My husband, James, and I now live away from both of our families. Our families are 13-20 hours away, but we still receive love and support from them. My parents get along with his parents in such a wonderful way, I couldn’t have asked for a better in-law relationship. This is one less stressor added to our marriage and shows us how to love better.
