When I was your age...

I come from a long legacy of story telling. 

To Armenians (and I'd say middle eastern people in general) story telling is one of the fundamental parts of their culture. My Grandpa passed the gift of story telling down to my Dad  (also found here & here).

Now it's my turn to tell the stories from my childhood to Violet. 

As on ode to the classic, "When I was your age we walked 17 miles to school in the snow, up hill, carrying 25 lb back packs..." 

I figure this might be a good place to start.

Your Dad is embarrassing you? When I was your age my dad wore his shirt as a hat.  And not  just at the beach, any place that was over 80 degrees.

You want a new dress for a party you are going to? When I was your age, I would go to 1950's theme birthday parties in my acid wash hand-me-down jeans.

Your friends are making fun of you? When I was your age I didn't have any friends, I had to make fun of myself.

You're embarrassed at your Mom and Dad's outfits? When I was your age my parents were known for their impersonation of Sonny and Cher, IN DRAG.

Don't you complain to me about having too many chores young, lady. I cooked my parents meals and did the dishes after all before I was in preschool.

All of your friends are spending the summer at their beach houses in Malibu? When I was your age, my parents took us to a Mennonite farm on the East Coast for vacation. And they put us to work, so it wasn't even a vacation.

You're crying because Dad wont buy you a dog? When I was your age the only animals we were allowed to play with were pigeons in the park.

Oh the stories of my youth I'll get to tell. Acid washed jeans, and all.