Personal Childhood web
I was blessed to have a wonderful mom and grandparents in my life. I do have large family, five siblings, several aunts, uncles and cousins. The five people that made the most impact on my life growing up are my true angels and I love them with all my heart.
My Mother
My mother was a single mother to six children. She worked very hard to take care of us and made sure that we had everything we needed to survive including love. She was and still is my hero! Mom was abused for several years by my father. When she made the decision to leave I knew it must have been the hardest decision to make with 5 children. She did remarry a few years later and we all moved to Oregon. Unfortunately the marriage did not last and my mother drove across country with us including a new baby sister. As I look back to all mom had to give up in order for her children to have a roof over their heads and food on the table I know I had the best mom I could ever ask for. We lost mom eight years ago. I had the hardest time telling my mother goodbye, but I know she is in a better place and is watching over me, my sibling, her precious grandchildren and great grandsons.
My Grandfather
My grandfather was the light of my life growing up. I remember when we were younger he would take my siblings and I mushroom hunting. We had so much fun with gramps walking through the woods. He was always there when my mom needed him. When my mom was in the hospital for several weeks he took us home with him and grandma. He truly loved us and made us feel safe. I can still smell his chicken frying and his music playing from his radio. When we lived in Oregon gramps and grandma came for a visit. That was the best summer. We took them to the ocean, camping in the mountains, walked through the mint fields and laughed as the neighbors goose attacked him as he was bent over pulling weeds from the garden. Oh how he wanted to cook that goose for dinner.
My Grandmother
My grandma was a very special lady. She was there to take care of us when mom was in the hospital. I remember when gramps bought her a new sewing machine; she taught me how to sew. I still sew today making crafts and blankets for my grandsons. I only wish that she lived long enough to see her grandchildren grow and marry. She would have loved to snuggle her great grandbabies.
My Great Aunt Doreen
I remember going to Aunt Doreen’s house during the summer. She was from New Foundland Canada. One summer she decided to build a shed for her lawnmower, she tore down the picket fence around the back side of her yard. After she built the shed her neighbor came home a few days later asking her what happened to his fence. When he seen her shed he laughed so hard I thought he was going to fall over. Aunt Doreen made me laugh; she loves life and enjoys making people happy and tearing down other people’s property. I still visit her today, she is nearing ninety years old and becoming forgetful, but when I mention the fence she remembers that like it was yesterday.
My fourth grade teacher Mrs. Bailey
Mrs. Bailey was the best. The year I entered fourth grade was the year my mom left my dad. She noticed how I was staying to myself. She cared about my feelings. I remember her stopping by our house one evening, to this day I still wonder why she came. My dad arrived a few minutes later. She noticed the fear in my mom. Mrs. Bailey loaded us all up in her car and took us home to her house until my grandfather was able to pick us up. I believe Mrs. Bailey is the reason I chose to become a teacher and advocate for children. She is and will always be my angel.
