I was born at the end of the 1950s and I have 9 other siblings.
My parents were incredibly strict even by standards at the time let alone now!
Like other kids I had chores to do and went to school, however, outside that I don't really remember having a lot of fun as a child or establishing a relationship with my mother (God rest her soul). As a result of not really having a traditional childhood, I believe I went off the rails to try and catch up on what I lost....I was closer to my father who has also passed on. We shared a love of music, being creative and gardening.
Informed by my parents own early experiences we were treated to the Victorian idea of parenting i.e. speak when you are spoken to, do as you are told and don't expect explanations! Unfortunately for me, I was not down with the plan and questioned everything, which got me into trouble. I got familiar with the end of a leather belt. I think some might call that child abuse, but at the time for me that was the norm!
I see now that my formative years experience has influenced the way I operate in business and ministry. I am very reliable, do what I say I am going to do and I am never late!!. I am focused and I am am also able to build contingencies in to almost anything I do. Thank for God for my ability to build contingencies at this moment in time. As I write the world is upside down partly due to the lack of contingency planning due to the pandemic.
