What it means to me to "GROW up THOMPSON"

I was born to goodly parents. They loved me. They taught me the gospel. Really, they both came from dysfunctional homes so I got messed up just like every other person I know. There is NO manual for raising a child. We all just DO THE BEST WE CAN, WITH WHAT WE HAVE. Hopefully along the way, we learn, grow, change, develop, ask forgiveness and forgive.

What was it like to "GROW UP THOMPSON" for me? It meant our house was never off limits. If we needed a friend to stay over because they were having home troubles our parents swung the doors wide open. If we needed to stay up late and talk they listened. Many hours were spent telling us how things really were, answering questions that other parents didn't want to answer and listening to our music. There was a lot invested in us, and I am not just talking money...like some throw at kids today. A huge TV, DS, iPod...I guess those are cool, but they aren't enough, without love and time connected to them, children lose something valuable, priceless. We had time and no amount of $$$ can replace that. They made sure we went to church dances where we could meet other people that were of our faith and have a little better chance of living the values that they taught us. That doesn't mean we did a perfect job of that. But I think their sacrifices made us better, created a chance for better friendships. I remember both my parents driving to dances in both Toyota Tercels. There was something like 11 or 12 kids between those two cars, plus my parents. They were supportive of our church activities. And we all as a family supported EHS Drama, because Marvin was involved, but also because my parents grew to love many of the children in the drama program and they didn't all have the kind of support we did at home. So mom and dad would go around afterward hugging all of them too, and telling them how wonderful they were too. WHY? Because that is just the kind of people they were. Recently the oldest of the children that came to stay with us...my big brother Daniel needed to come down for a funeral for his nephew. He wanted to come see us a couple days afterward. I said, Great, we would love it. There is floor and couch and a couple beds. He laughed and said, "That is VERY THOMPSON of you." It was said in love and I took it as a compliment. And that is what Growing up Thompson meant...No one got left in the cold, no one. Some appreciated it, others didn't...but they were all loved just the same. I learned that love does not have limits, or expiration dates. Growing up Thompson...No wonder I chose to do that before I ever came to earth! It wasn't always easy, but I wouldn't trade a thing. It was the best way for ME to grow up. And I think I turned out alright in the end.