A Month of Natalie - Mom and Dad

 Describe your Relationship with your Parents 

Mom and Dad with my grandmother. (Sometime in the early 80s.)

This is an interesting question. Touchy subject,  if you will. I would start with the fact that I know that both of my parents love me. As a child I didn't have great relationships with either one of my parents. As an adult I have learned quite a bit through my relationship with my parents.

My dad is not a believer, and honestly, I am fairly certain he thinks I am a moron for believing in the authenticity of the bible and clinging to the promises of God. Shortly after I was saved I had conversation with him where he insinuated that I was much to smart to be a Christian. I see my dad at family functions and I enjoy spending time with him but it isn’t very often when it happens. My father has a level of compassion that I haven’t seen in many other individuals. He cares deeply but carries the wounds of his past close and can’t seem to let them go; and I think that effects his relationship with the family. 

My dad with Ezra and Ian.

My mother and I have a much better relationship now than we did when I was a child. My mother is the most self sacrificing person I know. She will literally give the shirt off her back. This kind of service extends naturally to her children. I would say that she and I have a healthy adult parent child relationship. And more than that, we are friends, and it has been a pleasure to discover my mother in this way. 

Mom (in the back) with her best friend Bridget