BROWN: To my parents

I just need to go on a rant about my folks. OK, I am 18 years old and as a “know-it-all” teenager I hate that I admit that I do not know it all. My parents are horrible human beings because they love me unconditionally.

Mom and Dad you are so mean to me! You support me in all that I do and never even question my judgements. You let me live under your roof, you pay for my Arthritis medications, and you even had the nerve to help me set up my own photography studio. You monsters!

I don’t need to take this kind of abuse from you! I can leave and find another family who won’t care about my well being and will scream at me constantly.

You let me stand on my own two feet and let me sink or swim. And when I sink, you’re there to pick me up again. Well, maybe I wanted to be down there in the first place! You’re so insensitive for helping me out when I needed it! It’s a wonder how I have even lasted 18 years with you people!

Don’t even get me started on all my responsibilities. I am a full-time college student and a part-time photographer for the paper and working a photography studio on the side. I am working my tail off to make something of myself. And what do you people dare to do? Well I’m going to tell you. You dare to tell me to take a break and make sure I don’t over work myself. You help me out by editing and printing orders while I study for an important exam because you care about my grades and future successes! I can’t even believe I have people like you as my parents!

And since you’ll never see this and I know you won’t get mad and shoot my computer nine times, it’s safe that I continue my rant.

I am so sick and tired of being treated like a respected adult! I’ve had it. Living with parents who respect you like an adult companion, not a three-year-old child is downright uncalled for.

They work their tails off to send me to good schools and support my career in photography and then they take me on a family vacation. Do you even see how sick and twisted these people are?!

I have worked hard every day of my life to be the best that I can be. Sometimes they make me cry myself to sleep because I am forced to think of how much they love and respect me. You see that? These evil people make me lose sleep over their warm and caring hearts. It’s disgusting! Why are there even people like you in the world?

Just fill it up with the awesome parents who don’t care if their kids fail a class, the ones who believe their kids will never amount to anything. You are the worst parents ever! If you’re not careful I’ll just run away. I swear, the next time I hear you say you love me, I’m going to go insane. INSANE!

It’s about time I got this off my chest. I wanted to when I was 15 when I took the job at the Journal and you supported me and drove me to all the events because I was still too young to drive on my own.

I kept my mouth shut because I had hoped this horrible abuse would eventually stop. Three years later and it seems stronger than ever. How can I deal with you constantly inspiring me to be the very best like no one ever was?

Hello! You people, I am trying to be a selfish ungrateful brat here and I can’t because of how amazing and compassionate you guys are. Why do all the bad things happen to me?! Why?! Why?! Why?!

Mom and Dad you are so mean to me and I just don’t deserve you!

Sincerely,

Your frustrated kid, Jess

Jessica Brown is the staff photographer for the Barrow Journal. You can reach her at jessica@barrowjournal.com.