Lisa Mullis

McFadden
Unit 1
Narrative Essay
My family has a huge impact on my life. They have shaped my perspective and identity in many
ways including, what I believe, how I act and who I associate myself with. I grew up learning that family
is very important because they are all you have in this world, after everyone beats you down and shows
you how cruel our society is, your family will be here for you in the end. Being raised in a conservative
baptist family has impacted my lenses in both a positive and negative way. But to what extend will I
allow these factors to alter who I am and what I stand for? I have learned over the years how someone
was raised plays a major role in their lives.
As long as I can remember going to church was the norm, getting up super early every Sunday
morning to get to church an hour before everyone else. My father controlled the lights and sound board
for the church making our lives revolve around the church body and their needs. My family adopted a
very 50’s style home just like my father had when he was a kid. “ It was a very traditional, 1950s
household. My dad worked multiple jobs to provide for us. For many years, he worked with his dad in a
family construction business. My mom stayed home until my sister and I started school. Then she went to
work at school so she would have the same schedule we had. Dinner was always served to us by mom as
we sat at the table together. She did all the chores around the house, making sure everything was always
ready for when Dad came home or a guest stopped by. (J. Mullis, personal interview, January 11, 2019)”
My mother has the same duties, doing everything for everyone else. This has shaped my perspective on
the woman's role in marriage very negatively. I feel as if my mom is a slave to my father sometimes
because she does everything he asks of her and steps through fire to keep him happy. I do not want that in
life, I want someone were are relationship is mutual, no one is put above the other, I want to be respected
and I should not have to babysit my significant other.
Even though I do not agree totally with my parents lifestyle, they raised me well. My generations
upbringing is not to my liking, we are very disrespectful and take too many things for granted. My parents
taught me how to say yes ma’am and no ma’am and I know when to put myself into a situation and when
to be removed from one. I appreciate this knowledge more than anything, it has helped me stay out of
trouble and receive respect from so many adults. I also know how to present my self in an appropriate
way, not revealing myself in public but I am not overly conservative, and when I need to look
‘presentable’ I can do that. These are some of the traits I want to pass on to my future children, keeping a
certain look and reputation for the Mullis family.
 One of the grand traditions I have grown up with and will absolutely pass on with my future
family is Christmas. Christmas Eve is a tradition that binds us. We go to church for Christmas Eve
service and then celebrate with my husband’s family. This time brings multiple generations together.
Even with the kids starting to get married and begin their own families, they always make it back for
Christmas Eve. (T. Mullis, Personal Interview, January 11, 2019)” This holiday is my favorite because it
really makes the stress and family issues disappear for a few days, and taking us back to our younger days
of pure joy.
My world view has changed over my few short seventeen years here on Earth, and it has changed
for the better. There are a few things that have stuck with me, but there are definitely many practices I do
not want to keep. Your upbringing is a determining factor in who you become, which in the right manner
is a great way to pass on your family history and live on forever. Sometimes we all wish we weren’t apart
of our families but their impact on our perspectives will last a lifetime.
 Works Cited
Mullis, Jason. Personal Interview. 11 Jan. 2019
Mullis, Tracy. Personal Interview. 11 Jan. 2019