about_my_family

Well, before you really start reading this there were only 3 who were truly blood related. The others were not, but that doesn't mean they weren't family. As many of you know, a friend can be just as much family as your sister, brother or even parents. I only wish that when I finish this page that no one else in my life would pass away, but we all know how that is. When it happens, it just happens and you deal with it then. But today I add 9 of the most influential people I've known in my life.

The first would be my father, although I only have memories and had a short 10 years with him. He did enough in that time to leave me with memories and words that have still stuck in my mind. Unfortunally he is the first of the people I have added to this page that passed away back in the year 1985. It seems like forever ago that he left but I have been lucky to have found pictures of him. Further on in this site you will be able to see a picture of him, as well as pictures of the other people in my life.

The second that I would have to add to this page is my grandfather. He was from what I've learned over the years. He was a very important person with the beginning of today's technology when it comes to the military and the test sites. My memories of him are a bit more recent then my fathers, but I do have to say that he did passed away New Years Day of 1992. But I will talk more about him later on.

The third I have to say is Jessica. Now Jessica was different from all the rest, yet very much the same as all of them. I only knew her for a short time, and the more I think about it it wasn't even a year. But the time I did know her was a blessing, this woman did what she wanted and never worried about what one might say about it. I think that was what intriqued me most about her. She lived her life to the fullest with out looking back, I only wish I could be like her.

The forth was my mother's best friend for years as well as my second mom for those same years. Ellen was a strong woman, had been through alot and kept going. The last time I saw her, was a treat and a blessing in all that I hadn't realized. It was March of 2001 that she passed away and it seemed unreal that my second mom had left. But, I remember the memories I have and laugh when I remember her getting after me when I did something wrong.

The fifth, and for now the last to add to this not so great page. But one I'm doing to say how I feel about each one of them. Belongs to Donna, now Donna was a wonder. She was definitely a one of a kind person, with some of the ways she would talk about one thing to how she would talk about another. She was pure entertainment yet she was like my older sister. She passed away only recently, and I think that is one of the reasons I feel almost compelled to do this site. So many people that I've know over the years are passing away and with everyone of them I never had a chance to thank them for being there for me or just being in my life. So this is my 'Thank You' to them.

And here is where I add in the next 4. Everyone of these people have been influential to me in more ways then one and have changed me for the better. Or so I'd like to believe they have.

The sixth person I find myself having to add is a friend that I only knew for about 6 months. Another one of the few that you met that you know for like 3 months and afterwards feel like you've known them way longer. His name was Buddy. Of course his real name was Griar.. but I would have to agree. no wonder they called him Buddy. LOL.. He was a good guy, with a great heart and alot of love to give, just found it hard to have what it was that mattered most to him.

The next would be George, how unfortunate and fortunate at the same time that this name would have to be added so soon after Ellen's name had been placed on here. George is and was Ellen's husband. He was like my second father while his wife Ellen was my second mom. He was a military man who did his best at raising his family and taking care of those that mattered most to him. I had a chance to talk to him before he passed away and at that I am happy to say that I got to say what I wanted to. He is missed greatly along with everyone who is on this page.

The eighth person I find myself having to write here is Eddie. He was a good man, a friend of my husbands actually. He was kind and generous and very, very funny. And the kids just loved him to death. He'd come over and my son would try and wrestle with him while my daughter would get him to try and play a video game or two. He was a good guy and it is extremely sad that he is no longer here with us.

The ninth and final person that I now just recently find myself having to add to this page is my grandmother. Jean. Many called her Grandma Jean, some called her Psycho Woman. LOL.. All in all she was a great woman. She lived a long life and along her journey I find myself in 'awe' at the fact of how many people she had touched that will and do miss her terribly. She was probably one of the most influential people in my life, she was not a quitter, she fought everyday of her life from being paralyzed for years to walking again, from having cancer to beating that. She is definitely one of the many off this list that I will miss the most.

And here I am again, about to add more people to this "thank you for having made such a difference in my life.. yet depressing part of my life as well, page. Of course and as sad as it is.. My grandmother was not the last to go and even after I'm done adding those who have passed away since her death, will it be the last time I'm on this page.

The tenth person to add to this sad growing list is Charlie Medina.. he was a funny man. Who loved his bongos, loved his beer and had to watch the History Channel. Which on a few occasions I would watch with him. I worked with him at two different apartment complexes and loved to just be around him. He always had a story or two to tell and had to see you smile atleast once during that time. He is sorely missed.. and was remembered well by many people he touched during his time.

Next, the number just keep growing is number eleven... Mr. Gary * Doc* Thedford. He had been our neighbor for more then 4 years. He was a Texas man, loved his Hank Williams and black and white movies. Let alone his boots and telling stories of his time in Vietnam. He was a doctor in the war and would share many a story.. not to mention he had helped me during a rather bloody, YET funny situation.. Gotta love them "Ronco" knives. That bread/bagel knife is REALLY sharp.. well he was my hero that day when he was home and was able to get me to the doctors. He is missed, to this day, my kids ask about him...so he made an impact on people. Was always good about giving of himself, do hope God rewarded him when Doc returned home, he deserved it.

This one.. this one hurts to write about. I didn't think I was going to have to add her to this list for a really long time. Or at least I had been truly hoping and wishing it was going to be just about never actually. But.. it would happen to be that is just not the case. Instead.. in March of 2008.. the hard and very long battle of cancer finally won and my mom was just finally to that point I want to believe.. that she just didn't want to go through the pain anymore. She battled it for 2 years. But the day before her 54th birthday, she just went to sleep. She was my hero when it came to strength and courage. I know I have stated before that my grandmother was the one that I would miss the most.. and yet my mother being gone.. I find myself unable to really know for sure who I miss more. With how brave she was, on a daily basis before she found out and then really seeing how strong of a person she was after. WOW.. I still right now, having it be almost a year since her death.. am unsure if I could EVER be that strong. I do know that she touched many lives and at her service.. I saw so many people there it was crazy. Amazing, but crazy. I miss her so much, I don't even think there could be anyone more at this point that I would or could miss more. But, as we all know... death happens and it is never planned, just always JUST happens and you're pretty much left with no plan on how you're suppose to deal with it.

As of now.. this is my 13th person to add to this page and wow.. some say 13 is unlucky or maybe it's lucky.. Who knows. But this person.. Debbie.. she was a special person. I have only known her for 2 years but she really made a difference in my life. She was a character through an' through. She was another cancer survivor.. *seems to be a pattern here, huh?* Anyway.. she battled breast cancer once, and then it happened to come back. She had been dealing with that when she took ill from another problem. I was able to see her once more before she passed, and as I write this, it just saddens me even more. As hard as it was to go to the hospital, I had to see her. I had to tell her that I missed her, and that I hoped that she could/would get better. But I feel bad too, I couldn't stay very long. It was too close to home, made me think of my mom. I hope that doesn't make me a bad person.. but I guess the thought was there right?? I made that step, I told her what I needed to, while I could. Thank you for having been part of my life Deb..now you have no more pain, you can just relax now.