Personal Childhood Web

My childhood relationships have shaped who I am today. I carry within me the memories and values of those who cared for me during my developmental years. The love and devotion they displayed and gave me set the stage for what I have become.

My Father

I remember my Father as being a very tall man. As I grew up I realized he wasn't that tall. But he was bigger than life to me. He could do anything, fix anything, and be anything he wanted to be. He had a very rough time growing up. His mother passed away when he was 10 days old and his father married a woman who did not care for him. He left home at 17 and worked in the shipyards in Washington State. He met and married my mother, who he adored, and together they had seven girls. We lived in a rural farm area where he farmed, milked cows and managed the Consumer's Co-op. He was respected in the community and was known as a man who was honest in his dealings with others. He drove this point home with me and my sisters, insisting that we be honest in all that we did. I remember him at the dinner table trying to teach me math. He worked so diligently with me and I never really caught on. He was patient to a point and then would wake me from my daydreams with a slap on the table to get me back on track. When I was 11 years old my father was killed in an automobile accident. I remember when they told me he was gone I went to my room and prayed that he would come home. I went to bed that night and knew that when I woke up in the morning he would be there. My faith declined when he was not there in the morning and it took me some years to get my faith in God back. I still struggle with this traumatic loss in my life although I have accepted that he is with God and that I will see him again.

My Mother

My Mother was the most influential, powerful, strong willed, compassionate, giving, and unique person I have ever known. She was a tiny woman standing five (5) feet tall who by herself raised 7 girls. She ran the farm and cooked at the local high school. She sewed all our clothes and ensured we never went without. We may not have had all the latest fashions or the finest cars but we had plenty to eat, clothes to wear, and a comfortable loving home to come back to. I was born with a hearing problem having 70% hearing loss in one ear and 50% hearing loss in the other. I didn't know there was sound on the television until I was 3 years old.  My mother worked countless hours with me so I could integrate fully into society and be a part and not feel different. She worked with me on my abc's and sounds every night. My husband still says I can't carry a tune in a bucket but at least I can hear and enunciate clearly due to my Mother's devotion and dedication to me. She taught me to cook, sew, clean, work in a garden, take care of livestock, ride horses, have fun, enjoy life, and have a purpose. I was able to travel with my mother in her later life to many places throughout the U.S., Canada, and of course Hawaii (yes I know it is in the U.S.). We enjoyed each other's company and cared for one another after my divorce. We lived together for 7 years until I remarried. She had diabetes, loss of sight, and numerous health problems, which eventually claimed her life in 2003. She was my best friend and my mentor and I miss her dearly.

Grandfather and Grandmother Forbes

My Grandmother and Grandfather had a tremendous influence on my life. They owned a farm and upon retiring bought a laundromat in town. They loved to work and were very industrious. My early recollections of them was that they were ahead of their time in showing love for each other in public. They would often touch and kiss in front of myself and others expressing their love for one another. I worked in the laundromat for them and learned to fold clothes like a professional. My husband tells me the laundry service can't fold clothes as well as I can. Grandfather was gruff but loving and kind to me. The important things left an indelible impression on my mind. He would take us for ice cream and if the counter was dirty he would ask for a cleaning rag and tell them to clean the "crap" off the counter. He was a religious man and honest to a fault. He was quiet except when he thought it was necessary to express himself to help others do it the "right way", which was his way. Grandmother adored my Grandfather. They were best friends and lovers. They loved to see family and visit. She made sure that she knew what we needed and wanted for birthdays and Christmas and other special occasions and made sure we got those items. I loved to stay at their house. I was told not to play with the shaving razors. One day I did play with them and I cut my finger. I was asked how I did it and I told a lie. They, of course, knew and sat down with me and explained that our family never told lies. This has stuck with me throughout my life, my family doesn't lie.

My Sisters

My sisters have had a deep impact on my life because they were, and still are, my mentors, friends, and of course loving family. I was unable to have children so they allowed me to be part of their children's lives. I still get Mother's Day cards from some of them. This unselfish act has taken some of the pain and tears away from my inability to have children. When I need advice or just a kind word I can call any of them and receive the reassurance I need to make my day better. Sometimes out of the blue I will get a call from one of them asking me what my problem is. They have a special built in 6th sense knowing when I need a pick me up. My husband moved me around and this last move asked where I would like to live. I told him closer to family and the kind hearted person that he is he found employment by one of my sisters and moved us to
this new location which is closer to most of them. When I had trouble with my blog my sister came over and spent hours with me trying to figure it all out. Finally a call to her son in law and some help from my husband we were able to figure it out. My husband said if we had quit chatting and just worked at it we could have figured it out on our own. We love to talk about everything. When I was a child and my mother was giving birth to my younger sister,  my older sisters made sure my homework was done, I was fed, and in bed on time. They were loving, supporting, and kind to me just like my mother was. When they married they made sure that their husbands were approved by all of us. We have family reunions and take turns hosting/planning them. They are mostly gab sessions with each other and lots of good food. We love each other and carry on our Mother's tradition of Family First.