I'm thankful for my parents
Both my parents have died. My father died 34 years ago, my mother six years ago. They were very different from each other but both made me feel loved and cared for. I had a brother and a sister, both older, yes I was the Benjamin, the youngest of the family. My mother mis-carried three times before she had me, she always said to me, I really wanted you. What a thing to know, you were really wanted. I feel so sorry for those who don't know that.
My dad fought in World War II, had not had such a wonderful upbringing, his mother died when he was young, his father had a breakdown as a result and he was sent of to relatives for some time. Somehow, he was a balanced person, he liked to sing, tell jokes, and did well at school. He never talked extensively about his time during the war, but he was stationed in India and the Middle East and although we have never been able to verify it, worked behind enemy lines creating havoc. He was always larger than life, he was a man with charisma, very slim when young, not so slim when older. He seemed to take everything in stride and he loved food and wine. We always travelled, my father was a well known antiques dealer, appearing on television, and whenever we went anywhere a trip to the museum was usually included. It seemed when ever we went out, he always bought something that "paid for the trip". He was a succesful man and a great example of masculinity, tough but emotional, looking out for others and always generous.
My mom grew up on the outskirts of London, she remembered moving because their house was bombed and after the war her family emigrated to the USA. It was while she was on the boat my father proposed to her by telephone. She always said when she met my Dad she had given him her phone number. They got married in America and honeymooned in New York. Returning to England afterwards they started a family and lived in an apartment in London, then moved to a house in the suburbs. My Dad drove American "Yank Tanks" as we used to call the big cars he liked. So our house had a garage, not that his car fit in there because it was too big. Later we moved again to a larger house when I was 10 years old. This house felt like a mansion to me and backed up to a golf course, which allowed me to ramble across the links.
We always had dogs growing up, all sorts of breeds, Golden Retreiver, Cocker Spaniel, Corgi, and Dobermans. I loved them all.
My parents gave us a great education and they balanced each other out. My Mom could be abrupt and made her mind up very quickly, my dad was more easy going. My Mom was the disciplinarian, one look was enough, quickly followed up with a smart smack if you continued to disobey. But she had your back, and would defend you passionately to teachers or anyone else if she thought they were wrong. Did I tell you she made up her mind quickly...if she found out later you had lied...well I won't say more.
Both have passed, but I am so thankful for them and all they gave me during their lives.
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