My mom, on the other hand, is the one that keeps our family stable. She brings reality to my father's dreams. She keeps him balanced, and calms his tempers. If my father showed us how to dream, it was my mother who gifted us with the abilitiy to survive in this world. If it weren't for her influence on my father, things around the house would have stayed broken. She saw to paying the bills, sending cards out to relatives, signing report cards, and remembering birthdays. She also gave us comfort. Whenever we felt sad or upset, she stood ready to soothe and understand.
These words create a picture of sharp contrast, but the lines are blurred, especially now. My father has been known to talk me down from hysteria, and my mother developed quite a temper (mostly as a reaction to survive against my father's infamous explosions). My dad helps more in simple chores. They've worked out their own system. I am no longer as privy to it, now that I don't live at home, but whenever I visit, I see how well it works for them. They are content and in love after so many years that I can't help but smile.
Do I think one is more powerful? I think they have great influence over each other, as a result of their love. Love always gives you power. When you love someone that much it leaves you vulnerable; it's not abusing that vulnerability that has made my parent's marriage so successful. As for their power over me; gaining my independence has largely separated me from their influence. But I still respect their opinion, if not always agree (as demonstrated by one or two shouting matches in our history). And I still desire to make them proud.
