The Easter Bunny delivered me to my parents in Ohio on April 2, 1961; my younger sister was born 21 months later. We grew up as "normal" children for the most part, though once I had the dubious, if not painful, distinction of saving her life when I was 7 or so. Though we've had our spats and trials in the ensuing years, I am very glad that I pushed her out of the way of a speeding car, and the stones still embedded in my knee are a constant reminder of my love for her.
In 1972, my father was taken from us quite suddenly, and my mother then accepted a transfer to Arizona with her job...a move which would forever alter my realities and set me on a lengthy course of discovery, rebellion, reflection, and education.
I was a pretty good kid growing up...in MY opinion, of course....*laughing* My mom and sis might have other ways of describing me, however. But I stayed out of trouble pretty much (no details, though, cuz mom sees my page...*eek*) in part because of a Masonic organization for girls called Job's Daughters where we dressed in robes and capes and crowns....yeah...joey in a jeweled crown...*L*. I learned many things during that time about life and honor and respect, and the fact that there was a boys' group, too, didn't hurt.
I graduated from Washington High School in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 26, 1979, moved out of my mother's home within a few days, and then headed to college at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. Before graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism, I made the rounds playing in various bands and symphonies, hallmarked a favorite spot at the local pub....(sorry, mom)...and made friends to last a lifetime. In some ways, those 4 years were the happiest I have known.
After college I returned to Phoenix and went to work for an advertising agency and then a defense contractor, where I was a writer/editor on various technical manuals for military hardware. It was a great job till one day I watched them load a dummy missle into a launcher....struck me that all that time I had been working on nuclear arms....*shivers* Needless to say, I wasn't heartbroken when I was laid off a few years later.
Also during this time I met ex-husband...also a fellow writer...and we married...and 6 years later divorced...guess those nuclear missles should have been a warning...*grins* As it turned out, I finished college for the second time....court reporting....and also turned 35 years old. BIG time to make a change...sooooo...my dogs and I set out on the adventure of a lifetime...here on the beautiful Oregon Coast.... local info
During this last year, I have learned many things....about myself...what I want for my life...where I want to be...and I know that breaking out from tradition and striking out on my own path was a necessary...and tremendous...opportunity for growth and rebirth. If you ever find yourself out my way, just remember to drive slowly so you don't miss the scenery...breathe the fresh air deeply...and know that if you work hard enough...and have faith that guides from within...dreams DO come true....
