Chapter One-Hundred-and-Twenty-Four: Interview with the Parents

Summer has officially stepped out of the shadows and come to play. Of course, living in Texas, we already knew Summer was here... The temperatures have coasted well into the 90's this past month (Fahrenheit).
I don't know about you, but I enjoy a lot of Buzzfeed content. The outrageous quizzes, the interesting videos, the over-dramatic (and often unnecessary) stories... I can't help but click on their content when scrolling mindlessly through the internet. Recently, in honor of Father's Day, Buzzfeed released a series of five videos of their famous "Try Guys" interacting with their dads. Here are the videos, in order of appearance: Day One, Day Two, Day Three, Day Four, Day Five

I really enjoyed these videos because obviously, as children, we think of our mom as "Mom" and dad as "Dad". It's hard to imagine that before we existed, my parents were known as "Ronda" and "Larry" and were in the local bowling league or went out on Saturday nights.
June is a special month for my family because we celebrate BOTH my mom's and my dad's birthdays! I'm kind of copying Buzzfeed here with the whole bonding-with-your-parents deal, but, hey, I'm glad it's started the conversation. This post is dedicated to - you guessed it - my parents! Stay tuned to get to know my parents... and maybe use it as inspiration to ask your parents some similar questions! My inspiration for questions came from here and here.

The couple

What did you do for fun when you were little?
Ronda: I played kick the can. You play it when it’s [dusk], and you put a can in the middle of the street. Somebody is “it” and has to guard the can and find those who are hiding before someone kicks the can. I was good at hide-and-seek because I was little so I could get into small spaces. I liked to sew. I loved to read. That’s got to be one of the top things, to read. To totally escape from reality, to be totally engrossed with a book. I loved to listen about other peoples’ lives. I like to get to know “new” people… I used to love to listen to my grandmother and how she grew up, too.
Larry: Played outside, or played board games with my mom.

What was your first family pet?

Ronda: A dog, Bootsy. Big dog. It was half boxer and half great dane. I have a picture in my memory box of me and him in the crib, and he took up most of it. I’ve always been a dog person, but I like most animals, really. I had a pet turtle. I already told you about the time that I let all the dogs go at that shelter because I didn’t want them to die… (A story for a different time)
Larry: We had Charlie and Lucy, named after Peanuts characters. I don’t think we had them for very long. I don’t remember how we dealt with them because we didn’t have a fence in the backyard. Then we had dog #3, a stupid dog, but I don’t remember the name. I remember it tore up the garden my mother was attempting to grow in California… It did not last long with us. After he went away, my dad went to Vietnam… and we went back to Texas and didn’t have a dog.

My mom, Bootsy, and her sister in a dusty photo album

How would have your parents described you?

Ronda: Obstinate… not anymore though. (laughs). The baby. A high achiever, maybe a little competitive. I always wanted to please [my dad]. I wanted him to be proud of me. I couldn’t wait to show him my report card, even though my step-mother didn’t like that because her son didn’t do as well as me, which made him look bad. 

Larry: Nerdy. I don’t think that’s a term they would use but that’s what they would mean.

Handsome Dad

Growing up, who inspired you the most?

Ronda: I think my father inspired me a lot. He really really wanted me to be educated. It’s why I value education so much now. He had a very strong work ethic, which actually led to his demise, too. 

Larry: I had a science teacher in middle school, Mr. Kendall, in Mississippi. He just made physics ‘real’. He decided to rotate the tires on his car and had us all do it. He explained what we had to do and what principles made it work… 

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Ronda: A psychologist. But then I went to my first psychology class and nearly fell asleep - it was so boring. It didn’t help that the instructor had a monotone voice, and never showed emotion…

Larry: A scientist. I was doing well in math and science in school. I had wanted to be a pilot before that, but when I got glasses...well that was the end of that. 

Who was your first crush?

Ronda: David Meyers. I was 14 years old, and we went to school together. He was dating another girl. Our families went to Possum Kingdom together. He was cute and soft-spoken. He wasn’t into showing how big of a man he is… he didn’t have to prove things to people. 

Larry: There was a girl in 1st grade I was sweet on, but I don’t remember her name.

Mom and her pug, Mr. Moto

What were you like in high school?

Ronda: I was kind of a loner. I didn’t really fit into a particular clique, and that was the problem. My best friend was Lydia, a Hispanic girl. My other best friend’s name was Rhonda, with an ‘h’. Lydia and I just talked, but we had a heart-to-heart relationship. We didn’t have a lot in common in regards to culture because she came from a really traditional Hispanic family. Rhonda was my “fun” friend. We got to ride the strip together, which was the cool thing to do in Denton. Just get in your car and drive down this one main road, we called the strip. Hit up McDonald's, blare your music, and then end at SONIC, where a guy would pull up next to you. (laughs)

Larry: I wasn’t in any sort of clique in high school. We had our own crowd. Me and a handful of guys and the pep squad girls. We hung out with the girls to go to parties. I was in the chess club. German club. 

What do you miss most about the ‘good ol’ days’?

Ronda: Music. I liked the music when I was young. I liked it better then than I do now. 

Larry: Well what are the “good ol’ days”? That’s someone else’s term. I mean, that’s like saying there’s nothing good ahead. When was I last carefree without any worries? High school, with the pep squad girls and the parties.

Some oldies of Dallas, Texas

What was your favorite band growing up?

Ronda: When I was young, probably Ronnie Milsap and Crystal Gale. Of course I loved Michael Jackson. I loved Queen. 

Larry: Lots of them. Deep Purple was the biggest one. And the Eagles! 

Favorite place you have lived?

Ronda: Depends. As a child, I really liked playing in the snow, tobogganing, ice skating… but I sure wouldn’t like to do it now. I like Irving, I mean, what do I have to compare it against [as an adult]?

Larry: I think there were good things about every place I lived, even in Biloxi. I always refer to that as 'the armpit of the world'. It was pretty ragged when we lived there because it was a year after [hurricane] Camille came on shore. I liked something everywhere, but I also disliked something everywhere...however, Midwest City, OK and the pep squad girls were fun!

What happy memory will you cherish forever?

Ronda: Giving birth to my children. Even though it was painful, holding them in your arms – there is nothing like it. Going fishing with my dad, as the sun was rising. We would get up at like 3 am… it was very peaceful and I felt safe, being with my dad. I also feel happy when I can help people. It always makes me happy when I can do something for somebody. 

Larry: I remember going up to Mt. Charleson near Las Vegas with my dad and about a dozen other dads and kids. We were Christmas Tree hunting. There was a campfire and I remember everyone going into the woods Christmas Tree hunting, leaving the fire unattended. Oops! Out there, we heard mountain lions yowling. We came back to the campsite and saw footprints and tracks all over the campsite and cars (just like a normal cat does). It was snowing. That’s how we could see the tracks. It was very peaceful and quiet, except for the yowling mountain lions.

Newly Weds

Looking back at your life thus far, what are you most proud of?

Ronda: Probably my education. That I finished it and did it all by myself. Paid for it, studied for it, and that I graduated. I’m really proud of myself for going to the Capitol and standing up for something I believe in. This last time, I had to do it all by myself. It was scary, and I was sick, but I don’t regret it at all. 

Larry: I don’t like these “most” questions because there’s a lot of these things that “tie” with each other. I’m pretty proud to have completed the Discover Leadership Training stuff, becoming a certified business professional and paying off my house...twice!

What is your favorite part about yourself?

Ronda: I can stand up for what I believe in (and Dad does too). I have strong convictions, too. We do the right thing… I guess that’s integrity. We do it not because someone is looking but because it’s the right thing to do. 

Larry: Standing up for what you believe in isn’t really something I like, it’s what I do. It’s a choice. Of course, with a choice, comes consequences. I think about things before I do them.

Larry: By the way, have I told you I hate questionnaires like this?

Dad being silly

Mom being pretty

What were you doing when you were my age?

Ronda: I was going to school, trying to finish my degree. I was working for Dr. Wilson as a Dental Assistant. I had my certification, but I finished school so that I could teach because that was my plan. I wanted to teach and raise a family.  

Larry: Going to school. I didn’t have any money, so that’s all I could afford to do. 

What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Ronda: Finish your education. Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

Larry: Run away!! …no (laughs). Start saving money earlier. Which, for a 21-year-old, doesn’t mean anything because you have nothing to save. Never pay interest on a credit card!! If you can’t pay for it now, don’t buy it.

The couple, '89

What was your biggest fear about raising kids?

Ronda: I don’t know… Providing for them. 

Larry: I can’t really say I had any. I mean, just suck it up and deal with it. It’s not for the faint of heart though. Enjoy what you can, it all passes...

Dad and my sister

What’s your favorite thing about being a parent?

Ronda: Probably playing with my kids, because I loved to spend time with them. We did so many arts and crafts. I planned your birthday parties like you wouldn’t believe! I just enjoyed being with my kids, even if it was just rocking to sleep at night. Holding a baby in your arms while rocking? Nothing like it.

Larry: With most ages of kids there’s something to be enjoyed, but there’s also some pain in the ass. I liked it when they were young and everything in the world is wonderful, and they haven’t been jaded or corrupted yet by wanting things they don’t need. 

Mom and me (eating my carrier)

We know that Dad was the one that named me; however, if you could have named me, what would it have been?

Ronda: I like the name Heather. I think it's pretty. I don't know what it means, though. 

You named me Sarah Elizabeth. Did you have a second choice for my name? 

Larry: I remember a girl on Okinawa, an older girl, from a family that had a house sprite, or fairy, that they called “Mary the Fairy”. But they called the girl Beth, and I liked that. I don’t remember where I got Sarah from. 

Whaaa!!

Is there something about me that is completely identical to you? Is there something about me that is completely the opposite of you?

Ronda: Our love for education; you want to be a teacher, after all. You’re a planner, like Dad too. You don’t like surprises - you like to know what’s coming. 

I don’t know if we have anything completely opposite. Technology! You’re not afraid of it at all, and I'm so much more inept. I’m a little reluctant.

Larry: No, nothing identical. We both know your personality type is pretty opposite to mine. You remember your type from Discover Leadership Training? (Sarah: Yes. I'm an "i": People-person, enjoys being the center of attention and parties.) Larry: Yes, well I'm not that (the center of attention).

Any Similarities?

Any Similarities?

What was the hardest part about me growing up?

Ronda: I guess moving away to Texas Tech because I couldn’t reach you if I needed you or if you needed me – physically. I couldn’t put my arms around you when you were in pain…I couldn’t be there. I want to share those moments with you and to be there and help you. But I think I would drive you crazy, too. Maybe that’s something else we have in common, is that we like our independence.  

Larry: You were not a difficult child, in my opinion. The hardest thing I can remember of is when you decided to head plant yourself into the corner of the kitchen counter (laughs). I sometimes think you are headed for what I think is disaster… sometimes you make some things work out, but other times, not. It hurts when I see you setting yourself up for potential heartache or problem when your optimism says that it won’t be. And, yet, most of the time what you strive for works out fine.

One of the best hugs

What do you like/dislike about your generation?
Ronda: I think most of them didn’t plan for when they got old. I like that they know they have to work for what they get… nothing comes free.
Larry: Baby boomers don’t think of themselves as a generation… that’s somebody else’s name for us. We just got placed in this box because of a particular birth trend.
That’s the thing, though. It’s a human characteristic to put others into particular boxes. And people jump to conclusions based on what box they think you’re plugged into. From my own experience, every prejudice and conclusion has been busted by an outlier, by getting to know someone. I like to go deeper and get to know someone. Most people don't fit in their box.

Round of applause for my favorite couple!

A huge 'Thank You' goes to my parents for putting up with me, not only with these interview questions, but for 21 years! I am so lucky to have both of them in my life, and I am so excited to see how our relationship grows over the years. I hope I can get to know them more as people. 

Happiest of Birthdays to my parents! As always, thanks for reading.