"If you have never experienced anything, what right do you have to assume that you are alive?"

Disclaimer:
I love my parents. They are warm, loving, giving and I wouldn't give them up for the world.

Note to Mom and Dad - some pertinent facts you should know:

When I have a headache or migrane, it's not a tumour and no, you don't have to take me to the emergency room. Just please pass the Neurofen.

When my lips are dry, it's not an infection or temperature. Most likely I've been licking my lips or, less likely, kissing a cute guy. Please pass the lip balm.

When my skin is bad, it's unlikely to need an antibiotic. My body has gone haywire from going off the pill and getting back on it. I will go to the doctor under duress and feel like an idiot when she tells me to chill. (Will update with doctor's actual words tomorrow, after said appointment.)

When some backpacker gets killed walking alone at night in Thailand, it's awful, but it doesn't mean that the same thing will happen to me. It's not a reason for me to stop travelling, backpacking or living my life. As Antony (my brother) said - don't make your problems my problems.

When I'm 10 minutes later from work, it doesn't mean I've had an accident. I just stopped off to buy a new CD on the way home.

And Mom, I know you're trying hard to break the habit, but answering the phone when I call you with "what's wrong, what's happened?" does not indicate that you trust me at all. 'Hello' is generally considered to be a good greeting.