I have always felt I've led a wonderful life, even through the rough times. I was born in 1952 and at the age of two was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I had a brace on one leg and walked on crutches for many years. I despised having my picture taken because of that and this is one of the few that exists. My parents were not rich people by far and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for all the money and effort they expended on health care for me. I love you, Mom and Daddy.
I've been a Daddy's girl all my life, and this is one of his favorite pics. I may look like a wee scottish lassie, but the Gypsy attitude is starting to appear!
Made it through
high school with relatively little effort ... my philosophy of life at
that time. It was the days of wide legged jeans, impeachment hearings,
and dance music. Hey... that sounds familiar!!
In 1977, I was
married for the first time. We were young and foolish and mostly
concerned with having a good time. In 1979, my husband bought himself
a birthday present I was dead set against ... a pekingnese puppy.
I thought the breed was one of the ugliest, but promptly fell in the love
with the pup and he became MY dog. We named him Boogee; it was what
a friend of our's sister with Down's Syndrome called him and I thought
it was quite affectionate.
We eventually
got a female puppy and bred the peke's for a few years. Boogee remained
my favorite though and after my divorce in 1982, I begged to keep him,
but was never granted that wish. Boogee was hit by a car and killed
in my ex's driveway in 1985. He is buried in the Big Levels Game
Reserve in Sherando, VA..... and I think of him often. You may think
I'm silly or overdramatic here, but I truly loved that spoiled rotten dog.
In 1981, my son
Kyle was born weighing 9 1/2 lbs. Yes, a C Section is a wonderful
thing..... lol. He was quite the chubbo as a toddler and a very very
happy child. He is currently a junior in high school, plays football,
and generally has a good time .. I know, he takes after his mother.
In 1983, I married
my second husband, a man as extremely different from my first husband as
I could find. We were married for 7 years until that infamous itch
took its toll..... lol. In 1985, my daughter Leanna was born and
during the first three months of her life I would gladly have traded her
in for a rabid wolverine. If she was awake and not being fed, she
was crying. Then out of desperation I poked a spoonful of applesauce
in her mouth and her disposition changed overnight; she has been a wonderful
pleasant child ever since.
In 1991, my second
marriage ended and we moved back to my hometown. I have a vision
disorder that makes it impossible for me to drive at night, so I felt it
best that I live close to my family. Considering my sister and brother
in law live next door and my parents live less than 5 minutes away, I think
I succeeded.
We have a dog
again, an SPCA mutt named Teddy Bear. She is the best! She
stays during the day with my mother while we're at work/school...
so we call her the granddog. I made a vow to get any dog I'll ever
have from the SPCA ever since I heard a story on Paul Harvey's radio program
about a pound worker who took an animal home each night, fed and played
with it before it was put to sleep the next day. Still brings me
to tears to think of it. We also inherited a cat named Shadow from
a neighbor who was moving. He is a wonderful pet except when he wants
attention; this is when I'm sure his real name is Crybaby.
In 1982, I was
diagnosed as having inflammatory glaucoma... unusual in a relatively young
person. For a few years, it was kept under control by medication
but eventually that mode of treatment failed. In 1986, I began undergoing
what turned into a series of several operations to save my sight.
I consider Dr. Robert C. Allen, now of the Medical College of Virginia,
to be my guardian angel sent from heaven. This man began our doctor
patient relationship by telling me he made it a policy to never get emotionally
involved with his patients; 5 surgeries later he was sitting at my bedside,
holding my hand and promising me he would not let me go blind. He
was true to his word. When I needed him again in 1993, he was there
for me again, this time restoring near perfect vision to my right eye.
Unfortunately, the vision was lost in my left eye as my condition was not
diagnosed in time; but I am extremely thankful that I can still see at
all. I am taking this opportunity to preach to you all.... if you
have not had a vision examination in the last 2 years.. GET YOUR BUTT TO
THE DOC RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!
I think I have
blabbed long enough. One last thank you to my family, my friends,
both online and real life, and to God for allowing me this glorious journey
called life. Love to you all, be well and be kind to one another.
"In the long run,
all that matters is what was true and truly felt and how we treated one
another." - Designing Women... LOL
Love,
As I got older,
I got healthier and through my Mother's determination that doctors weren't
going to turn me into a bedridden invalid, I got to lead a very normal
life. Preppie too! Cheerleading in Junior High with my friends
Karen and Debbie!
Senior pic circa
1975 ... love that flippy 'do!
My sister Beth,
on the right, and me..
Mom and Daddy
at Christmas.... Mom up and doing and Daddy sitting and watching.... in
other words, the status quo.... lol
Thank you....
drive through..... lol
Gypsy
