My Parents

Having a baby has made me see so many things in a different light. One of them is my parents. As I care for my new "little bundle of joy" I feel as though my parents, who have "finished" their parenting have picked up where they left off parenting me once again. It's not like when I was a teenager where they were my authority, its not like when I was a school-ager where they were teaching me the important things in life, its like when I was a baby . My father spends a good amount of time working on our house, changing out light fixtures, hanging paintings, picking me up lunch and spending time with me. My mother, after her long work days, often runs errands, brings dinner for Terry and I and drops what she is doing to help in any way.

It's no secret that growing up in the Conaway household had its rough moments. There are still a few hurts left, but we are long past the blame game. My parents did their absolute best. My father, who never had a father was a loving and gentle dad of which I preferred no one else to tend to my owies. He took care of the spiders in my room, brought me water at night and calmed me with his soothing deep voice with bed time stories.

My mother who in some ways never had a mother. My grandmother struggled with serious depression most of my mothers life. I was all my mother prayed for in having a daughter, but once I arrived and began to show my strong willed nature I was more than most parents could handle. My mother was one who went back in the work force, in a foreign country, just to pay for my Christian schooling, and would sacrifice just for me. She endured much, for me.

So what makes me think its like when I was a newborn? I'm not sure really, but being a new mom has made me, at times, feel as helpless as my little Presley. Just like my baby girl looks to me for comfort, I feel myself looking to my parents for comfort. They are not perfect, and I don't need them to be anymore...they are just two people who love me more than themselves....still after all these years. And I understand that love now, having my own. I know its time once again for me to continues to grow in my strength in the Lord and grow my own family. But it has been a time of reconciliation for me and my parents with the birth of my baby. I have never loved and...here's the real kicker...appreciated my parents more than I do now.

Pictures coming soon :)