I blame it on my parents and my childhood

Most people say they blame their behaviors and actions on their childhood and the way that they were brought up, well so do I but maybe not in the same way. I had a GREAT childhood! Probably the best one ever! We grew up in a fantastic neighborhood where we were surrounded by kids our ages. We had street wide water fights and snowball wars, played night games until way past dark, had the world's best trick-or-treating route, walked to Holiday, searched the "woods" for the "hobo" living there, spent summer nights sleeping on the trampoline, had the best dodge ball tournaments, spent many hours on a bike or on roller blades; you name it or think it up and we probably did it! We had the BEST neighborhood!

I was reflecting on my childhood the other day and while I had a great one I realized I probably wasn't the easiest child to raise.

•  I had one sibling I did NOT get along with, unless it was at the expense of someone else. I had another sibling that I competed for attention with on everything! We are polar opposites and different in every way possible, we fought more then we got along. Another sibling that I constantly got into mischief and trouble with, we got along great and were best friends but we kept mom and dad busy! Then I was mom to the youngest two, I protected and loved on those boys so much (probably a little too much!) But because of all my siblings I learned how to get along with people, I learned how so many different personalities is what brings beauty to the world, we all have something unique and awesome to offer!

• I had issues!  I was terrified of fires (don't ask me why, but I couldn't even listen to The Little Mermaid song where it says "what is a fire and why does it whats the word burn") I had a plan on how I would get my entire family out of the house when we had a fire and no one woke up to the alarm, I was convienced this was going to happen. I don't know where this fear came from but it involved many break downs and tears every night. I was terrified of bad guys and mom had to remind me every night that no one was going to break in my room (on the 2nd floor) and kidnap me. I cried constantly! For no reason at all I just cried ALL the time! Through this my parents taught me compassion and patience, I am sure there were times they wanted to yell at me but they always lovingly reminded me that I was ok and there was nothing to worry about because they were there, it showed me that my mom and dad are my heroes!

• I didn't "need" my mom I was a daddy's girl through and through. I always wanted to be by his side! I learned to change tires, my oil, my brakes, how to re roof a house, I loved going to his classes where I sat quietly and colored because it meant I got to be with him, I learned how to pull the best pranks and tricks on people. But mom was ALWAYS there for me! She cared for me when I was sick, she supported me in everything I did, she was my rock and strength when dad was a puddle of nerves and emotions with my "adventures", My parents taught me what unconditional love is! They never gave up on me, they gave me my roots and let me spread my wings, they taught me to reach for my dreams and never settle for anything. 

• I was a difficult teenager! I was DRAMA with a capital D! I hated a certain sibling and was determined to ruin the relationship that sibling had with my mom because my mom and I didn't have that relationship. The sibling that I competed with attention for (mentioned above) was sick a lot as a child and needed my mom, this sibling was very shy as a child where I wasn't so he/she depended on my mom a lot more then me, I was a very independent person and didn't want or need mom as much as the other sibling but I HATED how close they were! I hated their relationship, I was rude and moody and DRAMA! But during these times my parents still loved me, they tried to make a relationship with me even when I was so rude and hateful, they taught me how important it is to love those especially when they are being difficult.

So yes I blame my parents for the person that I am today! Everything positive that I am I owe to them! They taught me love, compassion, patience, selflessness, determination, the importance of following my dreams, how to be a good daughter and sister (most the time), to put others before myself, to be silly, to laugh, to stand up for myself, etc etc. My parents are amazing and gave us kids such an amazing childhood! I really am blessed and lucky to be their daughter!