Monday, November 7, 2011

Nature versus Nurture

     While contemplating the concept of nature versus nurture I had an epiphany. Even though both of my parents have passed on from this life, they continue to live through me and my children. How can this be you ask?? They are dead. Right? No. They live in me and through me, in them. Not only have we acquired genetics from them so that we somewhat resemble each other but we also have acquired some of their mannerisms. Through their nurturing, I have learned how to nurture my own children.


     Not only do I still use some of their favorite expressions which have been tucked carefully into my repertoire to be unleashed onto unsuspecting folks in the blink of an eye, but I have also acquired my mother’s zest for life and my father’s wit and funny bone. I am capable of being spontaneous. I am blessed with my mom’s looks, and a pleasing mix of both their personalities.


     They both lovingly nurtured me from the moment I took my first breath until the day they died and left me to my own devices. I am outspoken like my mom and tell it just how it is without the candy coating. I am capable of delivering one liners that leave people’s jaws dropping followed by smirks and heart felt belly laughs like my dad. They taught me how to be strong and self reliant by their example. My mom was the original trucker’s wife… and I live my life by her example enjoying it, embracing it, and looking forward to when that semi truck will grace the drive way once again. It takes a strong woman to keep the home fires burning, juggle the kids and keep them from growing up to be complete a$$holes without a strong dominant male influence at home every night.   So far so good.  I expect nothing less.




      Like both of my parents, I love to play games!! Card games, board games, LEGO games, and the latest: Upwords! I have passed this love on to my kids. My mother’s love of reading burns brightly within me and is shared with both my children. They see me read and write, and I read to them nightly without fail. In response, they mimic me. Both kids are math whizzes, much like my mom before them.  


      Glimpses of my son’s bravery have astounded me lately. His ability to handle what ever comes his way with determination reminds me of my mom, and his daring to try the bungee jump at the mall astounded me. Of course, my mom was always up for anything, so maybe that is where he got it from.  I would never even contemplate such a thing, and although the experience scared the Be Je$u$ out of the both of us…he did it. I still can’t believe I paid $6.00 to have my kid attached to bungee cords, allowed him to jump on a trampoline, and be lifted to within feet of the high ceilings at the mall!! The fact he had the balls to even attempt such a thing blows me away!


       Much as both of my parents loved to cook, I continue that tradition as well preparing their recipes and creating my own. Instead of having my kids learn by observation as my mom liked to do with me, I take after my dad and allow them to learn by doing. More comparisons could be made, but I am sure you get the drift. Even as you analyze your own life you may begin to realize that whomever influenced your life also lives through you.


       Through me they learn the basic rules of survival through observation and how to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. To seek the simple pleasures and then find happiness within them. To be happy with the blessings they have been given and laugh with gusto.  I have no doubt that one day I will live on through them much as my parents live through them and me. Between the genetic forces of nature and the continuous love and nurturing, we will all live on through many ancestors to come as those that have come before us. Reflecting on the past gives incredible insight into the future. Until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful, Kathy! Love the pics that went along with your story! Keep up the good work, Mom!

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  2. Beachlover, you made my day!! Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. It is always really nice to know that not only does someone read what I write, but they get it and enjoy it too!!

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  3. Very well written Kathy - and what a beautiful tribute to your parents :)

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  4. Wow and wow again! Loving the love you show your parents and the commitment to your kids. So beautifully done, pics and words. Just perfect!

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  5. Sylvie, thank you for your kind comments!! I am so pleased you enjoyed it!

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  6. Jo, thank you for stopping by to read and your kind comments. It is the only way they can live on...through their legacy which would be me and my kids. That is one reason why I named both kids after both of them as a living tribute.

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  7. I loved this...the way you connected the generations and showed the ways in which your parents and the love they gave lives on through you and yours. Just wonderful. Oh, and that's one gutsy little guy you have!

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  8. Word Nerd, Thank you for stopping by to read and comment. My husband and I figured he would fill his pants...but my son insisted he wanted to do it. He said he was scared..and he looked petrified. Bless his brave little heart! I was so scared for him!!! I kept asking him "Are you sure you really want to do it??" I don't think he will volunteer for it again anytime soon. :D Glad for that, I don't think my heart could take it!! LOL It is amazing when you really think about it. If you ever look at old pictures...you can see the similarities of family members from the past. Since my folks are no longer here, I try to keep them very real and alive for both of my kids. It is a little harder for my son because he never met either of them. I am constantly telling them stories of how Grandma said this or Grandpa did that. We carry on lots of traditions they started. We look at pictures. Then I realize how much I am like each of them, and I realize they do live on through me which is very cool. I am so pleased you enjoyed my post!!! Thank you again!

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  9. Interesting post. I think we get a lot from our parents whether it's a genetic drop or taught is the always confusing questing.

    Joyce
    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2011/11/gbe2-nature-vs-nurture.html

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  10. Joyce, I agree. We do get a lot from our parents. I feel very blessed to have had such a great relationship with the both of them and to have such great memories to pass on to my kids. Thanks for stopping in to read and comment.

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  11. Jenn, Thank you for stopping in to read and comment! So pleased you enjoyed it! :D

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  12. Such a great post, Kathy!! I truly enjoy reading about your relationship with your parents. And, your desire to pass along that love of family to your children. They will have a better life because of it. I'm looking forward to your next post!

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  13. Betty, I believe that they need to know what kind of grandparents they had, even if they never had the pleasure of meeting them. So pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping in to read and comment!!

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  14. Kathy-What a beautiful tribute to your mother and father. I like how creative you were with the prompt and enjoyed reading this :-)

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  15. Linda, thank you for stopping in to read and for your kind comments! I am so pleased you enjoyed reading it.

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  16. wow! You handled this with such finesse, what a loving glimpse! Marc :)

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  17. Grains of sand, thank you for stopping by and for the wonderful comment. I am so pleased you enjoyed it. You certainly made my day...not sure I have ever handled anything with finesse! This is a first I must celebrate!! LOLOLOL

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