A family metaphor

This could be considered a guest post but really I'm sharing a paper my oldest son had to write for one of his college classes. They had to create a metaphor and relate it to each member of their family.

Family Systems Paper 

There are many functions of a police car that make it a useful tool for the police officer. These incredible cars are unlike your everyday vehicle. They have flashing lights and loud sirens to draw attention, they're built with powerful engines, outfitted with computers which contain information about any person or any vehicle and, are a great communication tool for the dispatch office. High octane fuel is used to provide the vehicle with enough energy to out-perform any other vehicle. The tires and steering are calibrated to be high performance to help maneuver it during high speed chases while keeping the vehicle on the desired path. Another piece of equipment installed in the police car is a radar gun. This device allows officers to monitor the speed of traffic from a moving or stationary position. This tool alerts the officer when other drivers are exceeding or keeping their speed within the posted limit.

 My family is like a police car.

 The youngest of the brotherhood has always had a talent for the piano. This boy can play any piece, any piano, anywhere. His talents have led him to play on stage in performances, in church, for choirs, and have accompanied countless singers and musicians. He is well known and his sound is undoubtedly recognizable. You don’t need to see him to know who is playing. Just as the lights and siren of a police car are very distinct and recognizable, his sound and stage performances make him recognized among many. For this reason, my youngest brother fills the role of the lights and siren of a police car.

 The second brother in the lineup has always had a need for speed. This kid has done it all. While in his younger years he has owned several motorcycles. With these machines he has rode every sort of terrain in all weather conditions. He has created large mounds of dirt and used them as a jump for his high flying machine. He has certainly soared with the birds. He also drives a sporty car that can hold its own. 0-60 in no time flat and paddle shifters to drop that time. This brother of mine might has well been born on a vehicle’s engine. Today, he has turned his need for speed into flight. Controlling a powerful metal bird, he is currently working toward his pilot’s license. The quick and powerful engine of a police car is dedicated to my adventurous and fearless brother.

.

I have always been the law abiding citizen. Every crazy turn, exceeding of the speed limit, improper lane change, failure to use blinker, etc. do not go unnoticed. My entire life I have wanted to be a police officer. I have had the opportunity to work an officer at the Rigby Police Department and as a deputy for the Madison County Jail. As an officer I was able to see those breaking the law and had the authority to do something about it. I have a hard time allowing other people do the driving because they will, in my opinion, most likely fail to observe the traffic laws. I am assigning myself the radar gun. Surely I will be the first to know if someone is exceeding the posted speed. 

Mother has always been the fuel behind the family. Each morning she would ungracefully enter our rooms, our domain, our safe zone. She would flick on the lights and without mercy, would clap clap clap, announce the time, and make sure we were soon to arise for school. Without fail she kept us busy with a list of chores as we were never without something to do. She kept our household a work and productive place. She undoubtedly is awarded the high octane fuel as used in police cars.

Father was always the direction. He made sure that we stayed the course. He was always quick to support the family. He has been our leader and example for us to follow. No matter what the road ahead has brought or will bring, he has led us through it all. To father, I give the steering wheel and tires of the police car.

From this I have learned how essential each part of the police car is. Each part playing a vital role in performing its designed task. I would take the support of my father, the motivation of my mother, seek to obey rules and laws from myself, keep my vehicles in a well working order as my adventurous brother, and discover my talents as my youngest brother has.

 I would hope to remember these things and teach them to my children so we too can become, "a well working police car.”

How would you define your family.....metaphorically speaking that is?