Personal History Question 35 is, “What is your favorite family story?” I have many. But this one always makes me smile. One year, while my mom worked at a florist shop, they were doing inventory. Bosslady came out with this old, forgotten, baby blue vase with a single, dusty, yellowed, fake Calla Lily in it. My mom brought it home. She planned to give it to my Aunty Nancy as a “Christmas gift” …. And oh my gosh. She wrapped it all nice. When my aunt unwrapped it, the look on her face was absolutely priceless. She had no words. I can still hear her in my head… “Ooohhh. That’s…

Personal History Question 34 is, “What was your first job?” Well, my first actual paying job with a set schedule (I used to baby sit here and there) was at age 14. I had a paper route. I took it over from my friends brother. It was in my neighborhood and I had to do it every day, regardless of the weather, or how I was feeling. Mom helped me out on Sunday mornings, thankfully, throwing the papers and inserts into the back of the car. I’d stuff all the papers with the inserts and she would drive a long behind me at a snails pace at 5 a.m. while…

Personal History Question 33 is, “What did your parents do for work?” Both of my parents had various jobs over the years. My dad worked for New England Telephone for several years in the 70s. Mom stayed home with me until I was in school full-time. She worked here and there, like in the school cafeteria, and at a local bakery/convenience store. Other jobs she had were at a pizza place, and a florist shop for many years. Upon moving to Florida, she ended up long-term at an air conditioning company. She pretty much kept the place running smoothly and did everything from answer phones, dispatch workers to jobs, and…

Personal History Question 32 is, “When did you first leave home?” I moved out when I was 18. My friend Amy had an apartment with her boyfriend. He had some issues and they were not getting along. She gave him the boot. She was pregnant with their daughter. I moved in to help with rent and bills and such. It was a good time. We had always spent a lot of time together anyway and we got on well, so living together was easy. Shortly after having her daughter, she reconciled with the bf, and he moved back in. He and I did not get on much, so I ended…