Wow Ladies! Much respect to all of you! I am very fortunate in that my Daddy is the BEST man on the planet! He is my heart! My Mom is a great lady too, however, she got sick when I was 11 and has been in and out of remission for the past 17 years. Wow...I didn't realize it had been that long! What she has isn't fatal, but it never goes away.
Anyway, needless to say, I learned how to wash clothes, cook, etc. at an early age. Seeing a parent completely dependent on you, expecially at such a young age, is a very humbling experience. I think it was a good thing, though, b/c it caused me to be independent and self-reliant. No matter what happens in my life, I know I can get through it. I had to grow up pretty fast though. My husband always reminds me that I am the most self-aware and self-reliant, not only woman, but person he knows...so I have to be patient with those who aren't.