by Sharon Jenson

Created on: September 12, 2008

My Parents, My Life Coaches

From my very earliest memories, I can remember my mother consistently reminding me to sit up straight, say please, thank you, napkin in my lap, help clear and wash the dishes, behave at a home where you are a guest, mind your manners, finish your plate, hold your fork and knife correctly, order beef medium rare, but not all meats. She certainly was a stickler for etiquette.

But beyond her fuss over remembering to send Aunt Ruth a thank-you card, she instilled in me her morals and values. She guided me through childhood and young adulthood, always having an opinion as to the right way and the wrong way. She demonstrated the importance of being thoughtful of others and to try to see things from a different point of view. She taught me to understand and be patient. She would point out that nice young ladies did not leave the house wearing tight blue jeans or heavy make-up. A date, if he were any kind of gentleman, would come inside, introduce himself, shake hands, and take a moment to sit and visit before leaving with her daughter. She died when I was just barely 22, so little did I know, I had to learn all that I could, and remember it, to last me a lifetime.

Passionate about helping those less fortunate than her, she held fundraisers, cooked casseroles for sick neighbors, and always found ways to help those who had less than her. She didn't use profanity and was offended by those who did. She taught me that I should make my life an important one; challenging myself by striving to make my dreams become a reality. What interests I had, she encouraged. Nothing was impossible and I was only limited by my own lack of effort.

This combined by a father with strong work ethic who did not enjoy giving an allowance unless he was sure it had been earned. He was up at 5 a.m. every morning to open his dry cleaning business, like clockwork. Rarely sick, my mom called him a workaholic. Raised with very little, he would check the peanut butter jar I was ready to throw away. If there were a spoonful left, he'd scrape it. The same happened with butter and mayonnaise. He taught me the importance of money management, of good credit, and hard work. He loved history and politics, although today we would not agree on that subject anymore.

As I look back on the way I was raised, I am very proud. I clearly recognize the choices that were made and the lessons that were learned. They truly do affect who I am today. Now that I am a parent myself, it is important

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