Preface
Recently, some good friends have been encouraging me to write, especially something for teens. I balk a little at that idea, even if, in their opinions, my writing style would be considered "entertaining and interesting to young people". There is nothing I would like more, as I have a strong passion for youth. I just don't think I'm "up" on teen topics enough to have something relevant to say to them. However, I think this little endeavor will fulfill my creative tendencies, appease my friends, and hopefully be something my children will treasure throughout their lifetimes.
Personally, I have always enjoyed reading historical biographies. I find it fascinating to envision how people lived in past generations. Most recently, I read a book written by a local man, Kenneth Shipe (I work with his daughter-in-law, Christine Shipe) He wrote of his life as a child, growing up in the Spring Gap/Cumberland MD area, as the son of a sharecropper, in his novel "All My Born Days". When I went to Chris' house for the book signing, Kenneth told me that his daughter loved the book and had commented "What a wonderful gift - to be introduced to the little boy who grew up to me my father!"
I thought that was such a sweet statement, and thought of doing the same for my daughters. I was born in the late 50's, though, and grew up in the 60's and 70's. I didn't feel that my life was "historical" enough to be interesting to anyone. Then, I read the Preface of Kenneth's book. In it, he stated that we are all witnesses and survivors of history, and every person is a story waiting to be told. I started thinking of my life and what might seem interesting to my children. They might enjoy having my memories on paper to keep as a "souvenir" of my past. I also realized that my children know nothing of televisions that went off the air at night, and came back on in the morning, to the sound of "The Star Spangled Banner". They never experienced radio stations which had to be off the air at sundown. They didn't know life before Play Stations, VCR's and microwaves; life before the invention of cassette tapes and touch tone telephones.
I'm not sure anyone will be interested in hearing "my story", but I think possibly my children may find it enchanting. Each person is shaped and molded by the events of their lives, and I'm sure they will find themselves chuckling, at times, when they see the "Why" behind some of my silly habits. Of course, every family has its "skeletons in the closet", and my family and life are no different. I have no emotional interest in dredging up those old memories, and will probably overlook some of the "ugly" past (maybe save that for a private "therapy" book just for myself) Unfortunately, all events, both good and bad, help mold us into the people we become. So, you may not find the reasons behind ALL of my idiosyncrasies, but hopefully you will be entertained by what I choose to share.
This "book" (for lack of a better term) is dedicated to my beautiful (both inside and out) daughters, Erica and Andrea; my stepdaughter, Deanna; husband Danny (whose patience is going to be tested to the max as he watches me spend countless hours sitting here at the computer); my step-grandchildren, Alyvea, Graci and Dalton (and all my future grandchildren). It is also dedicated to my "Angel Daughter", Lisa. I was supposed to be teaching her, but I learned as much from her, as she did from me, during her fifteen short years, and I will cherish my memories of her all the days of my life; to my parents and brothers, who may hate me by the time I'm finished (ha ha); and finally, to my loosely-formed "Girls' Only Club" friends, who are a huge source of encouragement to me. Thanks.
Preface
In The Beginning
Babysitters
Grandma McKenzie
Mom's Family
More To Be Added Here As Time Permits
