Interview with My Mom

00:01 Hello, my name is Cody Reeves, and I am 22 years old. Today is June 23, 2024, and I am speaking with Diana Reeves, who is my mom, and we are recording in the garage of our house. So, mom, can you tell me the story of when you first saw me?

00:19 Yes. It was the day you were born in the hospital. You were a very chunky baby. You're big. Nine pounds, three ounces. Actually, you came a little bit early because I had to have a planned C section. You were born a little bit later in the afternoon, and aside from being chunky, you were just most cutest little baby.

00:58 Aw. So, speaking of which, what was I like as a baby and also as a child? Do you remember a time when I made you angry? Let's start with that. Do you remember a time when I made you angry as a child?

01:13 Yes. Out of all your siblings, you were probably the most difficult. You enjoyed being outside so much that I had a hard time getting you back inside. You enjoyed riding your bike, playing wiffle ball, baseball, fishing, anything outdoors. So that would make me a little angry because it would be dark and it would be time to come in and everybody else is going in, but you wanted to stay outside. And then, as for our baby, you were a very happy baby. You didn't really cry a whole lot. You were. Everyone adored you. You smiled so much and you had the chubby cheeks, so your cheeks got pinched a lot. And then as a child, you were. Aside from not wanting to come inside, from being outdoors again, you weren't too difficult. You. I don't know you. You're still pretty happy. You had your interest, though. When you got a little older, you started gravitating towards more music besides playing video games like any other child. It seemed like you really enjoyed being outside and learning the drums and eventually the guitar as you were growing up, which was great because a lot of kids spend a lot of time on computers or video games, which is what I do now.

03:04 Well, how has being a parent changed you? What were you most surprised by?

03:11 Well, I didn't really at the time when I had your brothers, because you're the baby. You know, I wasn't planning on having children, let alone four, so I'm surprised by that. We'll say. But as for changing me, I feel like that was what I was meant to do, was be a parent, because it made me more responsible, more thoughtful, more patient. And I put all my time and energy in making sure that everybody else was taken care of. And that made me really happy.

04:00 Right On So since you were so surprised by that, having three more children since my brother. If you could do everything again, would you raise everyone differently?

04:15 I would say I would probably had been a little bit more. Probably not as easygoing with you being the youngest, a little bit more stern and stick to my ground and not give in.

04:32 I can see that that would probably.

04:34 Be the only thing I would do differently.

04:39 What advice would you give me about raising my own kids?

04:44 I would say having the patience and truly listening to what they are saying. I know even now that's something that I have to be mindful of and work on. So it's, it's. It's always going on no matter how old they are and let them express themselves within reason of course and just guide them. Not be a friend too much. You still need to be a parent, but just build a really good relationship of trust.

05:29 What are your dreams for me?

05:32 I. My dreams are for you to truly just be happy and pursue anything that you want, whether it's long term or even short term.

05:50 And are you proud of me?

05:52 I'm very proud of you. I'm proud of you for many reasons. You had a lot of self doubt and you have come a long way. You know, when school was hard for you, you, you pushed through and you did it. And even now seeing you in college and really working hard on what you want to do with your future makes me very, very proud.

06:27 What did you think your life would be like when you were older? And has your life turned out differently than you imagined?

06:35 Yeah, sure has. Because I really thought when I was older I was gonna be rich and you know, just live that dream of a lavish lifestyle. But what was the second part? I'm sorry.

06:57 And has your life turned out differently than you imagined?

07:00 Oh yeah, it has. You know, people go through good times and bad times and sometimes it takes those bad times to grow to have those, you know, good times ahead. And I would never imagine that we would be living on the west coast. And you know, I've overcome a lot personally being a single mom raising the four children. So yeah, definitely I am very surprised on where I am today. I'm very happy. I feel fulfilled and successful.

07:49 And so knowing where you are now, is there anything that you would change if you could do it all again?

07:56 No. No.

07:59 How come?

08:02 I'd say because, well, moving from the east coast to the west coast, obviously not knowing the unknown, but having a really good job, that truly makes me happy that I do enjoy going to work for every day and having you know, you kids, three of the four kids here and everything that has been built up since we moved here. So, no, I wouldn't change anything at all. Very happy.

08:49 All right, well, that's all the questions that I have for you. I appreciate you taking the time to do this. It's helped me out a lot, and. Yeah, I appreciate it. Thank you.

08:58 Thank you.