Today we're talking the parents of Painted Boots. I've had a lot of positive, thoughtful comments on the parents, but especially about Graydon Brand, Aspen's dad. So here's a bit about him.
Graydon's got baggage. He has his own problems. He's grieving for his dead wife. But even in the face of all his troubles, he never forgets Aspen is his child and that he is the adult. He doesn't seek to parent by laying down a lot of rules he knows Aspen will break. He does his best to help her with her choices ... even when he doesn't fully understand them or agree. Graydon recognizes Aspen's right to define her own life. He remembers fighting for that right himself, though we never learn his issues. But his life experiences aren't forgotten to him: he respects Aspen's right to stand by her choices. It's only when he believes her life is in danger that he intervenes and even then, he strives to be patient. When Aspen runs away he's angry, he's scared, but he doesn't take her choice personally. He loves her, no matter what. He says it best: "Nothing could tear my heart from you, baby. I will always, always love you."
I thought a long time about parenting before I chose to become one. Parenting is, after all, the toughest job a person can embrace--and the one job you can't walk away from, ever. So in a way, there was more thought behind Graydon's character than any other in Painted Boots. As I crafted him I reflected over my own aspirations as a parent. While writing the story, I gave him all the parenting qualities I strive so hard to have in myself.
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