This might be most people’s nightmare, but my parents are really quite cool. My Dad was born in England, and my Mum in NZ. Dad went into the army put himself through university (graduated and taught manual arts all over the world) – he’s now an artist with the most wicked sense of humour on the planet. My Mum went to teachers college and taught business maths and secretarial. She travelled too, and now has her own business. They met in Papua New Guinea, and raised their two daughters in Australia.
I think they are the best parents. Our upbringing wasn’t lenient, but wasn’t too strict either. It involved a lot of laughter and fun, but mostly, a lot of love. By allowing us to try things, we didn’t want to do them as we got older (we don’t do drugs, swear at old ladies etc.) Since then they’ve spearated. So what is it that I like?
I admire my mum’s faith, and her ability to put up with people at their worst and still see them as a human being. She likes to sit in the sun and have lunch, just like me. She’s generous, compassioante and friendly, but noy remotely annoying. My mum will laugh at jokes, even if they are terrible, and she’s a really independent woman. That’s what I want to inherit. She also had breast cancer, and I admire her spirit. The only thing I’d not like is the fact that she stresses a lot. Worries about everything. I am not a worrier.
I like my Dad becasue he doesn’t care what people think of him. He’s creative and always up for a laugh. It’s unbelieveable. I’ve laughed so much around him I can hardly breathe for DAYS I’m in that much pain. Also, he’s practical and listens to you when you speak. He is growing his hair long (Though I don’t like long haired men, my dad is cool.) He makes friends easily. He also has the tendancy to cause trouble without meaning to (Bloody Poms). Here’s an example.
My friend rang him up after getting into the navy (I’d LOVE to join the navy, but anyway…) Dad said that none of them were worthy of drinking with him (my dad) unless they could drink 16 pints of guiness or a similar lager. Of course, all you have to do is mention it to one person in the military and word spreads. His platoon arganised with the local pub to give free drinks to anyone who drank more than 16 pints. They had hospital wrist bands with stamps on them to record progress. So the sailors turned out to try their luck. Two days later the military hospital was full (One man drank 23 pints.) 47 people had their stomachs pumped and all of them went off liquor for 3 months at least. Everyone got chewed out by the leading officers. One guy was found 17 miles away walking in the wrong direction. The list of those who dared included four sergeants, 2 lieutenants and a couple of chiefs. It knocked out 8 platoons of sailors. (There were so many high ranking officers drunk they made them clip 100 metres of lawn with nails scissors as a punishement.) It is still the largest mass punishment the australian navy has on record. All because of my dad. I love my dad. He has cancer now too, but he is still kickin’.
My parents though, mainly taught me that the world is your oyster. Be happy and you’ll go far. Cos everyone can be whoever they want to be – the only limitations we have, we place on ourselves. I LOVE MY PARENTS.
