Beginnings

I was born July 3, 1978 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. As the story is told I was born by cesarean section after the doctor was called off his boat on the lake. My grandmother was there when I was born, and according to her, my mother has a beautiful uteris, thoughI can't recall. My mother was 19 years old, and my grandmother decided that she was entirely too young to be called grandma, so my pediatrician gave her the name Gramie.

On that day a new romance was born. I went home to live with my mother and grandparents. Ours was a full house, my uncle came home from college to stay before he started his new career, my great grandmother lived with us, my grandmother, my grandfather, and of course, new baby Amy Elizabeth.

My gramie tells stories of my uncle in his shorts and white shirt teaching the new baby in her diaper and white shirt the joys of ASU football. I remember with great fondness the house I spent my early childhood in. It was 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, with a sunken living room, and big picture windows. The front entry way had one wall that was completely mirrors and tile floor. A little girls tap dancing dream. Years later my sister and I would put on our own performances from the top step of the living room. The dining room was a warm place where conversation remained long after the plates were cleared and the leftovers put away. There was a painted mural on the wall of a beautiful mountain scene, and the kitchen was a big well lit place where gramie made many goodies. Eventually, they built on a room that had a fire place, and a cubby just for my favorite toys and books. The hallway had huge storage closets with big doors that I could open to block my bedroom door creating my own little hideaway.

Growing up with my grandparents to raise me at the time didn't seem easy to me, but I never lacked love. I went everywhere with my grandparents. My grandfather retired when I was little so he was home with me most of the time. He drove school carpool, and took me to ASU football games on the weekend. We always ate fast food when we came to the games, which was a big treat because we knew my Gramie wouldn't approve. I remember with great fondness going to Friday night fish fries, and coming home to watch Lawrence Welk with my grandfather. He always wanted what was best for me, and tried to teach me new things. There were swim lessons, golf lessons, religious education, dance lessons, and so many wonderful things.

My gramie worked as an ICU nurse, and it was amazing to watch the confidence and compassion she had when caring for her family and patients. She would sing songs with me, and we used to make up the most wonderful stories together. She made halloween costumes, and made goodies for bake sales. We giggled about nothing and everything.

There were vacations to Flagstaff every year. In the summer we would swim on sunny days. On rainy days there were trips to the library, and reading all afternoon long. It was the only time I was allowed to watch cable tv. There was horseback riding, fishing, and trips to the Grand Canyon. In the winter, Granddad would take me sledding. I had a fancy green sled that could be pulled by rope, or had handles so the sledder could steer or brake going down the hill.

Yes, my beginnings, though not without hardship, were joyfilled and loving, thanks to my grandparents.