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from the hem of my jeans. It wasn't long before mom had me standing in a bathtub filled with hot water jumping up and down. In her mind, this was considered a just reward for engaging in such a juvenile act.

No matter the circumstance, remember one thing: there is always a positive to counteract the negative. When it seems as though it does nothing but rain, don't give way to despair, and be sure to keep your eyes open to the possibility of catching sight of that elusive rainbow in the sky.

Be careful little ears what you hear...

Be sure you pay attention next time mom gives you the instructions to prepare dinner" is the voice that heckled in my ear as I ate every last bit of that pound of spaghetti with clam sauce she placed in front of me. You see, I misunderstood mom's instructions on the phone that afternoon as to exactly what it was I was supposed to prepare for dinner that evening. To my surprise she said, "Spaghetti with clam sauce (or) pork chops" and not "pork chops (with) spaghetti and clam sauce." I'm still not sure why the odd combination didn't seem to register before I conjured up the culinary disaster! Fear had the tendency to choke the life out of me and send all common sense to fleeing south. Did I mention how much I loathe spaghetti with clam sauce?

These, as well as many other unpleasant experiences had much to do with the molding of my character, beginning at a very young and impressionable age. Some questions will forever go unanswered, but this doesn't mean that the heart and mind doesn't continually grasp at the possibility of reconciling a negative past in hopes of using it as a positive in the present.

I don't know why some parents beat the mind and body of their children while others nurture unconditionally, and in all likelihood, it will remain a mystery. This one thing I'm sure of though: even when life seems to have dealt you a losing hand, there is always the trump card, and it is still possible to walk away from the table a winner. It just takes a little more effort on your part.

I suppose the most logical of possible answers to the question, "Why did my parent's beat me?" is, children are what they learn.

Learn more about this author, Crystal Dawn.
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