Personal Childhood Web

Arthur (Dad)

My father was the rock of the family, he has been the anchor and I didn't know that until I was 16. My father took my mothers hand in marriage when she had 2 children and one on the way. He provided for 6 children for 30+ years. I say 30 because, up until this day, he is still providing for some of his children. When I was younger, I was very much a mamma's girl; my father was always at work and always sooooooo over protective of me. It used to frustrate me to no end. He'd constantly stick his head out the window to make sure I was walking, or playing catch with closed fist. "How an I supposed to catch the ball dad?!?!" I would always yell. He would even offer all of our treats to the other kids playing outside with me; our popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, fried bananas! I didn't know how much my father had sacrificed for our family until my sister had a talk with me after my 16th birthday. She told me of all the things my father did for my mother, my siblings and the family as a whole. After knowing that, I was the biggest daddy's girl. I couldn't believe how much he had done, and still does, for our family. After reading this weeks resources, I've realized that all the things my father did that annoyed me, was just his way of caring for me. He was protecting me, he didn't want me to get hurt and he wanted me to make friends. My father was never one to verbalize his feelings, but to this day, I make sure he says "I love you" back to me whenever we get off the phone or part ways.

Lorrie (Mom)

My mom didn't have the easiest childhood but always wanted to make sure her children did. She repeatedly turned down my father's attempts to date her. She thought, why would he want to go out with a woman with 2 kids and one on the way? It took multiple tries for my mom to say yes to a date and 5 offers of marriage before she said yes to my father. They had two children together before getting married- then they had me! My mamma was always there for me; picking me up from school when my cramps were torturous, letting me stay home sick, even when she knew I wasn't really sick and letting me get up at 12am to get a drink of water because I was "thirsty". (I just didn't want to go to sleep!) To this day, my mamma is still there for me; bringing me soup or medicine when I'm sick, picking up coffee for me when I can't get outta work, dropping off quarters for me to do laundry or even finishing up my laundry for me because I have to get back to work. My momma has always been there for all of her children. I'm her baby girl, and I always will be.

Shannon (Friend)

Shannon was one of the first friends I made in the complex where I grew up. I moved to Newport, RI when I was about 4 and meet Shannon when I was about 5 or 6; she actually taught me how to ride a bike! She was a huge part of my social-emotional development growing up. She was my rock and anchor that allowed me to explore my surroundings. She knew and accepted me the way I was. When I was younger, I was very much an introvert and kept to a small group of friends. Throughout my school years Shannon was the one always right beside me all the way through high school graduation and my first Degree. Sadly, after 18 years of friendship we both changed so much that we didn't really notice it and our friendship sorta... stopped. It's sad, but, I think it kinda had to happen, I feel like we'd only hold each other back. Our lives were heading in two different direction and we couldn't stay on the same path. But I'm thankful for her friendship, I wouldn't be the person I am today without it.