Lessons Learned

When I was growing up I always considered my parents strict. My older brother and myself had chores, I wasn't allowed to hang around certain people, and there were rules that had to be followed. There were consequences if the above were not followed. There were many times I became very unhappy with my parents because of their rules and I felt they were unfair because the younger two children didn't have the same rules as us older two. Why? I'm not quite sure and I've never asked.
But, looking back I'm grateful for the way they raised me. Looking back I can see that I did have more freedom (sometimes more than should have been allowed) to make choices, but they also had the reins to say slow down. And of course I didn't always make the right choices and those were lessons I learned.
I'm thankful for the lessons my parents taught me. The values they instilled in me. The values that make me who I am today. Were they perfect parents? Probably not. But, they were the best parents for me and I'm grateful for having them in my life. Right now, they are my strength. They are the ones who are helping me get through life. Even if it's to make a wise crack!