Life History of Amy Freeman

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Dedicated To Main Page Life History Project

1. Tell about your favorite uncle.

My favorite uncle is Steve. I love all my uncles, but growing up I was closest to him. It was probably because he was the youngest, and still living at home so every time we visited, he was there. He used to take us out with Lisa, and we'd spend the whole day together. It was fun being little! Uncle Jim has always been hilarious. It was a riot when these two were in my wedding! They made that day so fun. I unfortunately don't know a lot about Uncle Randy. I do remember playing around with him when I was younger, and playing with the kids at the reunions. I hate that we all live so far away! Just thinking about this makes me feel home-sick for everyone.

2. What changes have you seen in technology? (Indoor plumbing, water, telephones, computers, cars, etc.)

I can think of so many! Growing up we listened to records and now we have cd's. You can hardly find cassette tapes anywhere too. Cell phones is another one. I have to admit, I'd love one, but can't afford one right now. It amazes me when I see 12 year olds using these phones. I remember seeing these on tv and they were these huge foot long things, and now they're about 6" high (if that). Computers I think are the biggest change by far. You can store anything on them and the graphics are amazing. They get smaller every year too, but then you can take them anywhere instead of being kept at home at the desk.

3. Tell something you remember about one of your grandparents. (Were they funny, crazy, loving, mean, or special in a certain way.)

About: Philip and Alice (Weatherwax) Harris

I remember Grandpa Harris chasing us all around the house trying to get us with his wet hands. We all tried to get away, but always failed. He also used to "lock" us between his legs and we'd struggle to break free (only to go back for more). I still love going to visit him and Wanda. All those memories come flooding back.

A special moment with Grandma Harris I will always cherish was when she was in the hospital. She couldn't talk, but we could still understand her. She said I was beautiful just like my mom, and then rubbed my cheek with her finger. There are times when I'm sad or upset and I can feel her finger on my cheek and hear her say, "love ya, Aim". I will always remember my grandparents as kind and loving.

4. Did you ever have an accident, illness, or an operation? Pick one and tell about it.

In 1999 I had pre-cancerous cells that had to be removed. Before the surgery, I had to have one last biopsy done at Roswell Park Cancer Inst. I was terrified because the last doctor that did a biopsy didn't know what she was doing and took 8 instead of 4. (This was at a local hospital, not at Roswell.) She made it so painful for me that I couldn't work for a week. So, when I had to have another one done, I was very upset. This all happened about 3 months after Grandma Harris passed away. I said a prayer the night before, and then asked Grandma to watch over me. I walked into Roswell and sitting there in the same waiting room were 4 missionaries from the church. (I had been in there so many times before and never saw one until this day.) Heavenly father answered my prayer. As if that weren't enough, they gave me a blessing. During the blessing my body went from shaking, to complete relaxation. I was crying when they were done and so was my mom. We both said after the blessing that we felt Heavenly Father's presence and Grandma Harris's. (I felt her finger on my cheek.) During the procedure, I felt nothing, no pain at all. I was able to go back to work the next day. I will never forget that experience!

5. Tell what your hobbies or interests are. (Do you sing, sew, write, hunt, build things, let us know more about you.)

I love to sing and play the viola (although I don't have one now). I hope one day to own a Viola because I haven't been able to play since high school. I think I was good. I used to be First Chair in my section throughout middle and high school. In middle school I was in 8th grade Orch, Chamber Orch, and a String Quartet. In high school I was in Orchestra, Amherst Symphony, and played the music for the musicals.

Now for singing, I was in Pop Chorus, Madrigals, Beauty Shop, a small acupelo (excuse the spelling) group, 7-8th grade chorus, and 8th grade choir. That was middle school all in the 8th grade. I didn't do anything in high school with singing because I could only choose between that or Orchestra.

I would really love to get into something for the singing and I would have loved to play in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be able to.

6. Tell about the changes in television. (Anything you want, earlier shows vs. today's shows, invention of VCR's & DVD's, the sky's the limit.)

I think a lot of major changes in television have a lot to do with the vulgarity and overall lack of morals people have. I remember cleaner family programming when I was younger, and I'm afraid of what my daughter may grow up watching. On the other hand, they have done some outstanding things with picture and sound. The technology aspect is amazing, but I think they need to clean up the programming.

7. Lets be romantic! Tell us about your valentine, first love, first crush, or how you were proposed to, or how you proposed to your sweetheart.

My Valentine this year was my daughter. The person I felt that was my best friend/ true love, was killed in an accident two years ago on Valentine's Day. Each year I've gone to the cemetery to remember what a wonderful person he was. As hard as it is not to have him in my life now, I feel blessed that he was. Anyone who knew him, knew what a caring and loving person he was. No matter who he was with, if one of his friends needed him, he dropped everything to be with them. I just hope that he knew how much he was loved and appreciated, and that everyone he knew would do anything for him.

8. What types of jobs have you had and which did you prefer?

Since I was 16 I have been working pretty much non-stop. I worked as a cashier at Brookstone, and Paper Cutter. I made subs at a pizza place, but was harassed by the owner's son so I quit. I worked at Kids "R" Us for 5 years. I gradually worked my way up from the Service Desk to the Cash Office. Then for the last 2 years there I was the weekend Front Office Coordinator and assistant to the District Manager. I got out of there 2 years before they decided to close all the stores down. I am currently at Old Navy working as a Front End Supervisor. I take care of all customer issues, do our daily audits and bank deposits, and do a lot of paperwork. (I love the office part the most.) I don't think I've been happier at any of my past jobs. It's a great place to work and they have excellent benefits for their full time associates.( Most of you may know that it's one of the divisions of Gap Inc.) I hope to stay on as long as possible, maybe being a merchandise manager one day.

9. Who was your best friend while growing up, or who is your best friend now? Let us know a little about the friends you have had in your life.

I have had several close friends while growing up. The ones closest to me I either new my whole life or were friends throughout school. Shanelle and I have known each other since birth. We didn't live near each other the majority of the time, but still remained friends. Then there were Danielle, TJ, and Timmy. We all went to Headstart together and could be found playing together in the neighborhood all the time. This was all until I went into Kindergarten. After we moved, I became good friends with Stacey, Melissa , and Jennifer. In 3rd grade we moved again and I met Tracy. Then Melissa moved into the same area and came to my school. We all remained friends throughout high school. In high school I met Steve, Mark, Brian, "Moose", and a few others that we hung out with but I wasn't as close with. Unfortunately, I do not talk or see any of these guys anymore, and the only time we saw each other recently was at Steve's funeral 2 years ago. I did run into my friend Danielle from Headstart almost a year ago and we've kept in touch ever since. Although I still talk to Shanelle once in a while, I consider Danielle a closer and more mature friend that Shanelle.

10. Tell us about your favorite Aunt

While growing up we didn't see Renee much because we lived so far away, but the one thing I remember is her making pancakes for us kids when we had our family reunions. Since we lived closer to Grandma and Grandpa Harris, we visited Glens Falls more often and spent more time with Steve and Lisa. They used to take us almost everywhere with them (probably to keep us out of Grandma and mom's hair). I still get excited every time I get to go out and visit (now with my daughter) and see everyone.

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