Sounds like Dad

So I (Tami) caught myself doing something today that reminded me of something I heard many times in my childhood. Walking through the house saying something to the effect of, "We don't need to have so many lights on in this house. I wish these kids would quit turning on all the lights and leaving them on." As I said it (turning off the lights at the same time), I immediately realized and even pointed out to Jeremy how much I was sounding like my father. Dad used to always complain about lights being left on or the refrigerator door being opened (I find myself often complaining about that one to my kids as well) because we were wasting energy. Electricity costs money. It's funny how much perspective changes when you are the one paying the bills and when you are the parent with the kids who have no concept of money, for which you are paying the price. To Dad: For all the times I left the light on or opened the fridge too much, I'm sorry. To my kids: For all the times I will complain to you the same way my dad complained to me, someday you'll understand, and I'm afraid you'll have to deal with it until then, but I love you anyway, even if you do leave the light on. Thanks, Dad, for teaching me to be conscientious about energy and wasting things and for caring enough about us to complain and take care of us. Love you! I don't mind sounding like Dad one bit! :-)