Mom and Dad - RIP

  In June of 1966 a little girl was born and quickly swept up by the doctors in a cold, frigid delivery room. No immediate comfort of a mother's embrace. Doctors poked, prodded, and jabbed at her right leg - she was born without a heel bone causing an acute club foot. After several casts to straighten her foot, she was ready for her first - of three - surgeries for an artificial heel. Following recovery for many days, she lay there unable to move her leg from the mammoth cast when she heard a commotion at the door. A man and a woman came in looking at her with sadness, then began marveling and cooing over her. "Oh, isn't she so cute." They were her new mom and dad. They brought her home to another adopted little boy, her new brother. They had the biggest back yard pool in which she learned to swim before walk. This was her freedom and her new mom would assist with swimming therapy. 

She proudly watched and learned from her new mom who was a volunteer for just about everything in Reynoldsburg, and a member on City Council. She had fun helping mom with parades and city events. Her new dad was the coolest - a fighter pilot! When her dad was home, which wasn't often, they would like to sit out back and stare at the stars. He answered all her questions about the planets, moon, spaceships and aliens - he had all the answers. He was always full of jokes and stories. Her years growing up were filled with life, love, and much laughter. They taught her never to stop and never to fear. She went on with marriage, a daughter of her own, starting a couple of businesses - one with a patented product which she hired her brother to assist with. 

With a love for water, especially the ocean, she became a SCUBA Divemaster helping several to become certified. She wanted to give back to other children that may have also had a rough life start so she was gratified with becoming a foster mom, taking care of many little ones in need. As years progressed, life brought her to live in wonderful places such as San Diego and St. Thomas Virgin Islands. 

As the years progressed, her wonderful adoptive parents' health started to decline and she returned to her home town to be near them and assist in any way possible. This was a wonderful time as she became very close to her adoptive mom, or “mom”. Strange - and awesome - how life throws a curve - she now would assist her mom in therapy swimming. In 2020, her parents both passed within a couple months from each other. She is still trying to live day by day with the loss. Thank you mom and dad for adopting me, being my parents, and helping me through this world 

- this foundation and these songs are for you.