Letter from a Youth                              

                                                                                                                   Vol. XIII, No. 9, Nov/Dec 2000

"I had the meanest parents in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When other kids had Cokes & candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich.

"My parents insisted on knowing where I was all the time. I felt like I was on a chain gang. They had to know who my friends were and what I was doing. They insisted that if I would be out for an hour, that I be gone for an hour or less.

"I'm ashamed to admit it, but, they actually had the nerve to break the child labor law. They made me work. I had to help them do chores in the house and outside in the yard. You know, things like make my bed and rake the leaves --- all sorts of odd things! I think they actually lay asleep nights thinking of mean things to do to me.

"And when I became a teenager, it got worse. They'd make me bring my friends and dates to the door so they could meet them. Humiliating!

"My friends were lucky. They got to date at the mature age of 12 & 13, but my old-fashioned parents refused let me date until I was 16.

"My mom & dad were complete failures as parents. I was never arrested, never got into fights, never talked back to a teacher, never got kicked out of school. I got along with everybody. And who do I have thank for this terrible way I turned out? My 'mean' parents!

"They made me grow into a God-fearing, educated, honest adult.

"Thank you, Lord, for giving me the 'meanest' parents on earth. They saved me much heartache & pain. They saved my life."

[Reprinted from the Spotswood Spotlight, May 1995.]