I feel I have elements of both my father and mother in me; however, I am most like my father in many ways. It has always puzzled me as to why, but I always strived for, and fought against being like my dad. As a young child, I would help him with his projects. My dad had the habit of sticking his tongue out a little ways when he was concentrating. I remember people commenting on how cute it was that I was sticking my tongue out when I was concentrating on helping him. It came out naturally, but I remember doing it even more than natural at times to be more like my dad.
I truly admired my dad, but I fought against “being” him. I resisted the nickname, “Swag,” as a child because that was my dad’s nickname in college. Without trying, I became a school administrator, just like my dad. It just happened naturally. I do remember how my dad always had a special relationship with the maintenance and kitchen staffs. He ruined many suits while helping someone in the shop do something messy. I could tell that his staff admired him and enjoyed working for him. I remembered these things as I became an administrator and had maintenance and kitchen staff of my own.
As far as personality traits go, I got most of my dad’s genes. I am pretty easy-going, but I have a tendency to absorb stress. I will just keep absorbing it until I finally release it in a large burst. All you have to do is push the right buttons in the correct sequence, and boom!, all of my built-up tension will come out in a flash. You don’t want to be the button pusher. This has happened only a few times in my life. I remember my dad sitting me down for a talk after my sister, Donna had pushed all my buttons and I threw a metal figurine at her head. Luckily, I missed, but Dad recognized himself in my behavior. He told me I had to find a way to control that anger that can come up from within me. I have found ways to dispel my tension in more positive ways since then, and now that I’ve retired, I try to avoid stress altogether.
I feel I inherited some traits from my mother as well. My mother was very organized. She was even a librarian. Although from outward appearances, I don’t look too organized, I do like my socks folded and my clothes organized in my dresser. My desk at work looked cluttered, but I knew exactly where things were on the desk. I feel unshelved if my clutter gets to a certain point. At that time, I can’t stand it and I do a major cleaning and organizing. Anyway, what ever organizational skills I have came from Mom.
As I look back at my parents and grandparents, it is obvious that many of their genes have been passed on to me. Looking at my children and grandchildren I see those same traits passed on in interesting and novel ways.
Swagerty-Aldrich Family Web Site 