childhood web

Aunt Jolene is my mom’s youngest sister.   She was 12 when I was born.  My aunt JoJene (because I couldn’t say Jolene) took care of me when my mom worked.  Jolene is the one person who was and always has been a constant in my life.  She always supported me in anything I wanted to do.  I remember her always telling me I could do or be whatever I wanted.  She always told me how great I was (even when I’m sure I wasn’t).   There has never been a day when she judged me or questioned what I was doing.  She only supported me and helped.  Today she is still a huge part of my life.  Jolene and her husband live just down the road from me and my husband.  There may be a reason I ended up settling down so near her.  She is someone I know I can always count on, always.    

Grandma & Grandpa were my mom’s parents.  They took care of me all my life.  We actually lived with them after my father died when I was 4 years old.  I think in some ways I never left.  My grandparents are responsible for the development of my core values.   I grew up on their farm.  They were both hard working and family were everything.  My grandparents are both gone now, but there is not a day in my life that I don’t think of them and all the memories of “the farm”.  They influence my life all the time.  Whenever I have to make a difficult decision or just need someone to “talk to” it is my grams and gramps.    

My Mother worked very hard to take care of me and my 3 brothers.  She taught me to be independent and self-sufficient.  She made sure I had people around me to keep me safe.  She encouraged me to get involved in activities that would build my confidence and make me a strong person.