All About Me (Part 6)

My Family

I am going to wrap this series up by talking about my family...something I don't do as often as I should. Having just moved out allowed me to reflect on my past 23 years living at home (with the exception of living with Hot Karl Kober for 6 months at RMU) and how my family has shaped who I am today. I know that often I can undermine the investment of my family because of everything God has done in my life the past 6 years, but if it weren't for my family I wouldn't be the man I am today. So here you go:

My Mom - Whenever I go to my grandma's she always tells me that having me around is like having my mom around. I "light up the room" she says and when I think about it -that was my mom. My mom taught me:

• To have fun - I definitely get my personality from my mom. I remember dancing with her every Sunday night to all night oldies on 3WS - awesome. I have millions of home videos of us just having fun when we were little. Dancing, Acting, etc.

• To love traditions - my mom made every holiday and big days in our lives extremely special!

• The Importance of Family - My mom always made sure we spent time together as a family - family nights etc.
  

I know that seems simple - but so much of who I am today is literally who my mom was . . . that's a pretty big deal!

My Dad - My dad has taught me a lot more than he gives himself credit for. Though I am not always the first to acknowledge this - he has taught me so much.

He taught me:

• Character - my dad is huge on character, honesty, and integrity. He's helped me recognize that if I messed up - be up front about it (don't hide it) and apologize (This is a much bigger lesson than a lot of us think it is.
  

• Confidence in who I am: I'll never forget his "famous" quote - "I am what I am and that is all that I am, I'm Johnny the Bus Driving Man!" He taught me to be proud of myself for who I am.
  

• Being Selfless - my dad is one of the most selfless men on the planet. I can name like 2 times in his life where he did something for himself. He is constantly giving of his time, money, and gifts.
  

• Sacrifice - My dad has worked weekdays (during the day)and weekends (through the middle of the night) for as long as I can remember to provide for our family. I've never had to suffer or miss out on anything in life because of my dads willingness to sacrifice his life in order for my sister and I to have a great life. Thanks Dad..

• To Give - Because my dad is selfless - he is a huge giver. I remember every year on his birthday, he'd buy my sister and I presents and try to make it seem like it was an extra birthday for us.... he gives and gives and gives. I'm grateful for that example

Tomorrow I'll cover my brother and sister and grandparents!!! Yea baby!

Some of the best advice I've ever received is that when you grow up you have to look back at how you were raised and take the good and chuck the bad and remember that your parents did the best that they knew how. I know my parents did the best they could and I am extremely grateful for their investment!

How have your parents shaped your life? Thoughts?

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