This really is a soul-searching question.
I can't think of anything as memorable as some of these stories, I've never had to go through any real upset in life or any suicidal tendancies.

My parents definitely have always been there for me though.

Back from when I was 2 and almost scalped myself on the edge of a concrete step, although I can't remember much from that moment I always remember feeling safe with my Mam always being there for me, even when they asked if she would leave while they stitched my forehead back on because it might be too distressing, she stayed and kept me calm. That and the ambulance drive who gave me 50p for sweets when I was better.

There was the time I fell over at school about 9 years old and hit my head yet again (realised now I think I'm abit clumsy) and wouldn't stop throwing up when I got home. Straight through to hospital where the staff were brilliant, I had a fear of hospitals and they made me feel at ease, my parents both slept on the tiniest settee in the ward even when they had work the next day.

When I was being bullied at school by both other students and the head master (nasty piece of work, once locked my sister in his office because he didnt think she was responsible enough to take me home) my Dad walked through with a full length leg cast on after shattering his knee cap to sort it out. I wasn't there but apparently he made the head master cry without even raising his voice and although he didn't stop belittling me for once I felt he wasn't an untouchable monster and it kept me happy and protected. Then again the cast and crutches probably made my Dad look a little bit more intimidating.

Theres all the times they both sat up with me through the night while I had whooping cough and croop, which was a very common thing thanks to my asthma, all while my Dad worked near on 11 hour shifts a day and my mam worked full time and still managed to go to uni during the evenings.

A few weeks after I had passed my test and managed to total my Dad's car, I just remember sitting on the pavement in Tynemouth, choked up and being arrested as a technicality. When the officer saw my Dad arrived he let me go over to see him, I just remember hugging him and being told to stop being so daft cause I didn't want to embaress myself infront of the police. The thought I was going to die, then being arrested and thinking I was going to be killed by my parents when he acted so normal with me I couldn't believe it, "It's just a load of metal, you're not hurt, everythin is okay." sticks in my mind.

After leaving 6th form I didn't want to go to Uni until I'd had a year out; I couldn't find a job and began getting quite down and felt abit worthless. My girlfriend stopped me from hitting bottom and has stood by me when I've had nothing, when I chose a career which I had never even thought about before she encouraged and pushed me more than anyone else and I hope I've done the same for her. Shes now training to be a primary school teacher and I couldn't be more proud of her. I'm now an accountant and she still brings up the look on my face when I passed my interview, sitting on the bus to Newcastle fed up with everything when my Mam plays the answerphone message down the mobile saying I had the job, I could have cried out of relief just then.

I know I'll think of something more sincere or which made such a big impression later, but I won't post them because these few things show how I feel about my family and my partner and although I'll always be there for them I don't think I can ever repay them for what they've done.
(Vikingheadache, Mon 6 Oct 2008, 15:13, 2 replies)

Decent people.
Sounds like they kept you feeling safe.
The reverse of mine.
( FeralCatMan Unusual disease collector., Mon 6 Oct 2008, 19:25, closed)

I know the last thing you probably ever want,
is sympathy, but this QOTW has me all smittened up.

Sorry you couldn't feel the same way, hopefully it means we both nurture our children, even if it is because of different reasons.
(Vikingheadache, Mon 6 Oct 2008, 22:28, closed)