When I was a kid, my parents used to have a big conservatory out in the backyard of their place. For years, my father grew all types of ferns and flowers in there, and it used to be a place of wonder for me to explore. Then, my Dad got a new job which kept him really busy for extended hours. Over time, the conservatory got neglected and the plants started to whither and die. It was sad, because I felt like I was losing my father, as well as the special oasis he had created.
Then, on my 16th birthday, my parents took me out the back blindfolded. When they finally took the blindfold off, we were standing in the middle of the conservatory, but it was completely different. They had turned it into a studio apartment for me to live in, decked out with television, bed, conservatory roof roller blinds, a little kitchenette, and everything else I would need. I still miss the old conservatory sometimes, but man, I love my new pad.
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