Sunday, June 17, 2007

Celebrating Dad

Happy Father's Day, Dad! And Happy 35th Anniversary to my parents!

Since these two occasions are coinciding on this one date, I wanted to blog about what a great example my parents have set - both individually and as a couple. They gave me and my brother great values to build successful lives upon.

Value. Sunday mornings would find Dad sitting at the kitchen table clipping and organizing coupons and Mom making shopping excursions to find the best bargains. Thanks to them I walk to the back of the store first to look at the sale racks, bypassing the more expensive seasonal stuff that is two seasons ahead anyway. I also stock up on items that are on sale at the grocery store, and visit more than one grocery store a week to buy items at a lower cost.

Saving. I am a saver. That is not to say I don't buy things, because I do love to shop, but I like the security of having money in the bank. I remember going to Teacher's Federal Credit Union with my Dad and opening my first checking account. It was a long time ago, but I hope to teach LP how to save for a rainy day.

Education. My parents are both teachers. An importance was always placed on learning in our home. I remember practicing practicing practicing how to write my name so that I could get a library card. I was so desperate to be able to check out books from the library on my own card. I still love to read. So does my brother, who carries a used paperback with him just about everywhere.

Family. We spent a lot of time with family growing up. The holidays were always about getting together with my grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. My cousins were also at a lot of my birthday parties. It was important to me to move back to the NY-area, closer to my parents, when I decided to start a family so that we could celebrate special occasions together and so that my kids would know their grandparents as well as I know mine.

Love. We are not shy about saying "I love you." I talk or IM with my parents every day and each conversation ends with these three little words. I know that no matter what, my parents will always love me and be there for me.

Love ya, Mom and Dad!

1 comment:

Molly said...

Sounds like you have a lovely family! My parents always taught us well, but I've found now that they have got older, they have reverted to childhood and I feel like the parent!!