Chapter 19: If There Be Thorns

We learn a great deal from our parents. When you are little, you learn how to say words, to read, and even to walk with their guidance. As you get older, your parents continue to teach you many things like how to ride a bike or even when to say please and thank you. In between, there are many lessons they unknowingly give you as well that shape who you become. While following your parent’s actions can be helpful, it’s also important to be mindful of these behaviors.

Can you think of some habits you’ve picked up from your parents?

In chapter 19, Meylyne learns who her enemy, the Thorn Queen, is. This discovery comes as a huge shock to her. She also learns about the Thorn Queen’s secret family history. When we look at the Thorn Queen’s past, we can see the hurt caused by her parent’s betrayal. It’s a natural instinct for parents to take care of their children and protect them. Their betrayal of their daughter is unnatural and causes a rift in their relationship. Instead of growing up in a loving and supportive home, the Thorn Queen had the opposite experience. She was traded around by her parents, the Snake People, and even by Meylyne’s father.

The Thorn Queen embarks on a journey of betrayal because she grew up believing that was normal. Now, Meylyne has a choice. Does she allow her own anger to fester, continuing the cycle of betrayal and broken families? Or does she try to forgive the Thorn Queen?

What would you do?

I’ve picked up a lot of good habits from my parents such as a strong work ethic and writing. They taught me that “If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well,” to “put first things first” and that “two wrongs don’t make a right.” However, I picked up some bad habits, too, like perfectionism and negative self-talk. I am often in awe of my own daughter as she corrects me when I’m overly harsh with myself! I credit the mindfulness practice that her school teaches for this. The more mindful we are, the less we are enslaved to that which lurks in our subconscious.

What habits from your parents would you like to emulate? What habits would you like to lose? Please let me know – I would love to hear from you!