The people I admire the most are my mom and dad. They got married at a young age, and have been married for over 40 years. I know it wasn't always easy, and they had some rough patches, as most marriages do, but they stayed together for better or worse, richer or poorer...
We moved away from our family, and all they had ever known when I was 8 to a much different place, where we knew no one, but made friends fast and grew to love our community. When I was 13 we moved to a very small town in NC and bought a farm!! wt???? It was quite an adjustment from growing up in a big city, like St. Louis, but with time we grew to love it there. We had Arabian horses for a while, Angus cows, and my dad was quite fond of using my brother and I, and our friends for "free" labor around the farm; stringing wire fences in the bitter cold, worming cows, saving the family dog from icy pond waters, etc. If you are reading this blog, you know which friends I'm referring to. :) Their marriage even survived my terrible teenage years, and they tell me all the time how happy they are I have twin daughters, because payback is HELL!
My dad lost his job when I was 16, just after we had built a new house, and they ended up starting their own business, the local ACE Hardware in our town. When my brother and I moved out and went to college, there was the empty nest. My dad started a new company and they began traveling quite often to the Caribbean. I think that is where my dad developed his passion for adventure!
My parents got a sailboat about 7 or 8 years ago and have been sailing ever since. They went down to the Caribbean and just kept going. They have traveled to many beautiful, exotic places and have met many, many wonderful people who inspire and motivate them. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of their sailing friends and traveling to some wonderful places on their boat. They are currently in New Zealand traveling by car and will set sail again in a few months headed for Australia. I look forward to many more adventures with them, and can't wait to take my daughters to experience their nomadic lifestyle!
So...why do I admire my parents? Because regardless of what life has thrown at them, they have stuck together, they have set goals, made plans to achieve their goals and are enjoying a life few people get to experience. They are truly an inspiration to me, and I am forever grateful to have such incredible role models, who have always encouraged me and pushed me to achieve my goals and desires.
Thank you mom and dad!
No comments:
Post a Comment