My mother was a strict disciplinarian while I was growing up. There were 7 of us children for her to contend with. As well as working nights as an R.N. Sometimes my Dad would work 2 or three jobs to support us all. But we never went without. There was always plenty of food, (especially sweets, since he had a sweet tooth). We did not feel deprived of anything.
In their free time on weekends, they would take us on outings to the Amusement Park, the Beach, or King’s Castleland, where we would dress up as characters from storybooks and play in the storybook houses.
As we turned to teenage years, we all had our run-ins with our Mom, who would keep a tight leash: don’t stay out past 10; no, you CANNOT go to that concert. You are grounded. These are the years I hated my parents.
My mom’s Alzheimer’s disease has made her a different person. She is happy, friendly with everybody, and sometimes wants to just skip through the day.
Some families have children who dwell in the past and want to blame their parents for whatever their life has turned out to be.
I know my parents did the best they could. Now, my mother is the child and we all do the best we can by her.
Pawtucket, RI
