My parents

     I know I have already written about my parents, but I want to tell you how they treated me. I wasn’t a closet child. If they went somewhere, they didn’t call a babysitter. They could have lost great friends over their belief. Dad told a person, “If she doesn’t go out to eat with us, we won’t go.” I guess that person changed his mind because I grew up with the family. When my parents told me that, I respected my parents. Yes, when I got to stay by myself, I tried to let them go out to eat, but Mom always said, “If you are not going, we won’t. You want to go out too.”
    They let me spend a night with a friend many nights. They knew the family, and Alyson became a good friend to me. I always had fun staying with them. When we came to NC, my cousin, Barbara, spent a night with me at Granny’s or my aunt would get me to take me to their house. I love going there!
     They let me go places reasonably. A classmate was having her 16th birthday party, and she invited me! She told my parents to stay! I knew right then she was awesome, and she is my BFF!!!!!!!! They took me to my proms, class reunions and a social. When it was time for my class social, I didn’t want to go because Dad was recovering from heart surgery, but he was willing to take me.
     They helped me with my homework. Some nights were rough because they helped put up golf carts, and the golfers came in after pure dark. We had arguments about doing homework late. They wanted me to do well in school, and they helped me, but some nights, it was after 9:00, and I probably had two hours of work to do. I tried to do what I could at the golf course, but nobody could read my writing.
     But we probably spent our family time at the golf course. Mom helped Dad with the golf carts, and we went out to look for golf balls. Dad worked at the golf course on his days off. We ate dinner when Mom got off work at 4 or went somewhere at 6. When Dad worked at Kendell, Mom cooked at home.
     Around 1999, we decided paying rent was a waste whereas paying for our own land, but the toughest part was decided to stay close or move to NC. For me, I didn’t want to move to NC. I was in Voc Rehab trying to get a job, and I met close friends. I was happy with my life. Our friend called Dad to the table one night and said she can sell two acres to him for a good deal if we decide to stay. Dad said she could get her lawyer and draw everything up. My brother came and helped us move a mile away. I stayed out of school for a week to help with the move and see my brother.
     My dad worked four days on and four days off, so we spent more time together. When Dad died, I told Mom how sorry I was that I didn’t spend a lot with her. She understood I was Daddy’s girl, and he took me everywhere with him. Mom didn’t like shopping, so Dad and I shopped. When I was in high school, he took me to Hardee’s before school. He took me to my appointments unless I needed Mom in some matter. When he had an appointment in Columbia, he took me, and we ate. He took me out golfing when he knew I was stressed.
       We took trips. We camped when I was younger. I have mixed feelings about that because Mom didn’t have room to do everything for me in a tiny space. I loved sitting outside just talking. Once we just left home and stopped when we got tired. We found a great campsite in Virginia. After a while, we retired from the camper and started renting motels on a trip. We loved Pigeon Forge! We went there most of the time. We went to Nashville twice. When my brother lived in Virginia Beach, we went there. It was cool to see Navy ships. When he and Skip moved to Florida, we went there a few times and to many theme parks.
      We went to all of the gospel singing that wasn't far and not on Sunday. Our favorite were Triumphant Quartet and Guy Penrod.
Going to the evaluation center in West Columbia was rough on my parents. Leaving me the first time was the hardest. I didn’t know Mrs. Ruth, but when my parents left, she was there and took my mind off them leaving. My parents didn’t let a day go by without calling me. They came during the week and visited.
      When we went to Wal-Mart, Dad said, “OK, go. I’ll going to be in sporting section.” No, I didn’t have a phone, but he trusted me. When I got a cell phone, I called him, and he told me where they were. When we finished shopping and went to eat, they let me ride the wheelchair to Zaxby because it was in the same parking lot.
      I probably disappointed my parents once if you can say that. It was my parents’ anniversary, and I wanted to get them a gift. I was at the Voc Rehab Training Center, and I told my friend what I like to do. She asked somebody if she would borrow his car. So, three of the girls got ready, and a guy said he would play video games in the mall while we were shopping. It was a great time going to the mall and riding around. When I came home that weekend, my parents talked to me. I was like OK. Voc Rehab was going to take us to the fair, and nobody wanted to go except Rob, and I really wanted to go. I begged anybody to go with us, but they told me to go. I went and we had a great time, but I knew I would get it when I got home. You know what? They were happy for me and didn’t fuss. Know that respect! For that moment, I felt that they trusted me.
      After Dad died, I was thankful that Mom and I got close. We still have disagreements, but I learned just drop it. We did things together. When she saw something, like a bear, she rubbed it on me and threw it in the cart. She gave in and went to Wal-Mart so I could have a Christmas bear or their family. We talked more about my life after she die, and I tried to assure her I would be fine.
      I’m thankful I could help my parents. I was their bookkeeper and looked after their appointments and their medicines. When they got sick, I was right there helping. Except during COVID, I stayed in the hospital with them. Yes, people got onto me, but I stayed with them. When they were dying, I was right with them. You may ask how. We were close, and they relied on me to understand what was going on. But I don’t want to take the credit. God gave me everything to helped them like they have done for me. I’m always will be grateful for God gave me my parents.
      I love you and miss you so much, Dad and Mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!