Mirror, mirror on the wall....

Larry's thoughts::

Family is an interesting thing. Yes we all say that because, if there is one thing in life that is constant, its interesting families. I've always thought that everyone's family is dysfunctional. When we hear the word "dysfunctional", we think right away of something major like the closet armed robber that was also an uncle from the hood. But dysfunctional is something quite common because each family has its own quirks. My family is no different. Our family liked to say "we're one big happy dysfunctional family" and that's true. The relationship I have with each of my parents is unique. My mom is a very emotional yet nurturing woman. I was raised without ever being told I wasn't good enough and she always reminded me that I had value in life no matter what. That's a good thing for a child to hear no doubt. But, on the flip side, I think her emotions are also her weakness because many people prey on nice people like her. I often tell her to balance her heart out with her mind to make sure she makes wise decisions. My dad is an enigma to me. All my life I've been told how much I look like my dad, how I have my dad's mannerisms, or stuff like that. Plus I'm a "Jr" too so we have the same name. But my dad wasn't ready to have a family and be married to my mom. He was too young and too inexperienced in life for that. So he hasn't always been in my life as much as I wanted him to be. But a young boy like myself doesn't understand that so I used to think I wasn't good enough for him and that's a hard feeling for a boy. I've come to understand how unready he was for me and I've struggled to have him stay in my life since that time. I love both my parents because I think I'm the literal representations of who they are. I look at each of them and sometimes it's really like looking in a mirror because they are parts of me. Sometimes that's a blessing and other times that's a curse. Lately I've been dealing with each of them on different issues. So the reminders of who I am have been in the forefront of my life lately. I love my mom and my dad and that won't change. But hopefully I can grow from their mistakes yet build on their strengths and be a better man because of it.