Dad – My dad had three great loves in his life, his family, golf and the Cleveland Browns! As a member of the U.S. Air Force, he was able to provide us with an amazing life traveling the world. My father passed away in April, 2000 and I still miss him every day. He challenged me to be the best I could be and always told me I could be anything I wanted to be. Dad always had time for a hug and an “I love you.” He would always tell me, “I support you 110% in everything you do.” As a parent I still hear my father’s voice when guiding my own children. Many interactions with my children mirror interactions I had with my father.
Mom – My mother is one of the strongest women I know. She was a stay-at-home mom until I was in the sixth grade. When she went to work, it was as a part-time caregiver at the Child Development Center on our Air Force base. Eventually, she became the center director. I suppose that is how I “caught the bug”! My mother was the disciplinarian in the family and she made sure I learned right from wrong. She was also my Girl Scout leader for many years and she attended all of my softball games. She encouraged me to succeed and pushed me to do well in school. My mom is the reason I have such a strong work ethic. Even today, she never says goodbye without saying, “I love you.”
Scott (my brother) – My brother is four years younger than me. He was always the athlete in the family! He played rugby, soccer, baseball and golf throughout our childhood so we were frequently at his games. Like most siblings, there was plenty of rivalry in our house but I knew he was there for me if I needed him and he still is today. He was the not-so-patient “student” when we played school; we played many games of Boggle and Rummy on our family camping trips. Our memories are rooted in those camping trips! Both of us would say that we had an amazing childhood with a pretty great set of parents!
U.S. Air Force – Yes, I know the Air Force isn’t a person but I would not be the person I am today had I not grown up as an “Air Force brat”. By its very nature, military life is a series of transitions. This made it difficult to establish ongoing relationships with adults outside of my family. I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to see the world and live in five different countries! The life of a military child is unique because one learns a love of country at a very early age; that sense of pride stays for life. The Air Force taught me respect, dignity and discipline while offering me opportunities few people have.
Teri,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a really encouraging and supportive family. It’s great that you had all those opportunities being apart of the Air Force and living in five different countries. Most people don’t get to do that or have the knowledge that comes with those experiences. You said that you had trouble establishing relationships with adults outside of your family. Did you have problems making long-term friends as well? I’d imagine with all the moving around, that it’d be difficult to stay connected with friends. It’s hard for me to imagine starting at a new school and trying to make new friends over and over again. On the other hand, it’s a way to meet lots of different and diverse people.
I think its great that your family and the air force had such a great impact on the person that you have become. The opportunities you have had sound wonderful. I could imagine also that the move around would make it harder to form outside friendship, but do you find that it made your family stronger because you had each other and were going through the same things together?
ReplyDeleteHi Teri,
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though you have a wonderful relationship with your mother. Did you find it all diffuclt to express yourself to her or speak about personal subjects?
I think it's wonderful that your mother believed in teaching you right from wrong. Even though we are becoming more knowledgeable about early child development as we approach it with science; many of our children are lacking this today.
ReplyDeleteHey Teri,
ReplyDeleteNice pictures of your family. It looked like your brother kept you busy and active.:-)My grandfather still have the car in background of your picture. They are called antique cars now. You was defintely surounded around The Greatest!!! Your web is needed in this century.