I figured that after having the same “About me” for over 10 years – surely something has changed. So I thought it was time for a little updating.
There are so many facets to me that I can’t even begin to know which part of me to start off with, so I think I’ll take the easy way out.
I was born December 19, 1961 to John and Vera in sunny Glendale, California. My parents divorced at my early age of 5, mother got mixed up with a very abusive man who almost killed her and sexually abused me for 2+ years of my childhood. I’m not afraid to bring that out in the open. Used to be I was ashamed, but as I have aged, I realize that I have nothing to be ashamed of. My mother, three brothers and I moved to Nebraska in 1972.
In 1978, I married at the tender age of 16 – became pregant and through the stupidity of youth and the corrupt laws of the state, I lost my first daughter to the system. Years later I went on to have two more little girls whom I love with all of my heart. Their father and I separated and in 1988 the divorce became final after a long custody battle. Being a single mom, things weren’t always the best as I had hoped for them, and as most single moms think, I thought I was a horrible mom, working nights to support us, we didn’t have much in the way of material things, but we had a lot of love and both of my daughters lovingly assure me that I was the absolute best.
In 1998 I met my current husband through the internet and we married in January of 1999. Its hard to believe that was almost 10 years ago.
In 1999 I started college year round and in 2000 I got my Associates Degree in Computer Science and through a fluke during a summer vacation I applied for a position in Minnesota and we moved here in the fall of 2000 after my oldest daughter Melissa graduated from high school.
Both girls opted to stay in Nebraska – which literally tore my heart out. Little did I know that I had become more wrapped up in them than they were in me. Melissa had already moved to Kearney to be with her now Husband Brad, and Stephanie wanted to spend a few years really getting to know her Dad, and I couldn’t begrudge either of them at their own chance of happiness – so I had to begin to let go of them early.
Years later, Stephanie and her fiance Kirk moved to Minnesota and shortly there after were married, Melissa and Brad live in Wyoming, and Tom and I are still here in St. Paul, Minnesota.
I am now the proud Grandma to Kailie Marie & Emily Ann, the beautiful daughters of Brad & Melissa.
Kailie was born on December 7th and will be an unimaginable 4 years old this year (2008), and little Emily was born on June 17th and is my youngest granddaughter – both who I do not get to see very much of and if you have been a reader for any length of time, you will know that this is one of my biggest heart aches.
I am also the equally proud grandma to another little girl – Alexis Marie, the beautiful Daughter of Kirk & Stephanie. To my greatest joy I get to spend almost everyday with Lexi as I watched her while her mommy and Daddy work, so we have formed a beautiful bond and she brightens up even my most gloomiest of days and brings much joy and sunshine in my life. Stephanie and Kirk are now expecting the newest edition to their family – Kaiden is due on the scene sometime in the next four weeks. Our first Grandson.
In a perfect world I would have both daughters living near me and be able to spend every day with all of my little grandbabies and daughters.
While the girls were growing up, I never realized how important my family was to me. It wasn’t until they were all separated from me that I discovered how very much my world revolves completely around them.
So what other sides of me are there left? I guess you’ll just have to figure that out by reading this blog.
