Strong Women

Her being sassy!

Meet my Granny. Born Mary Carolyn the  youngest of six kids in 1933 in Georgia, a real southern peach. Some of the major things happening that year include Hitler coming into rule, prohibition ending, Hoover becoming president, Albert Einstein coming to America as a refugee from Germany, and most of the country was trying to deal with the Great Depression. My Granny has become a huge symbol of strength for me. She married my grandfather at a young age and got pregnant right away. Six children later (one who died still-born) she had to raise her children with a very selfish husband who was never there. Eventually the two got divorced, and then secretly married, and then separated again and there is no doubt in my mind that he is her one true love. And while I won't go into everything that she has had to deal with in him as a husband I am extremely amazed she has turned out to be the lady she has. Out of her five remaining kids she totally had her hands full. My aunt Martha seemed like an angel on the outside, but she secretly tortured my mom to death, my mom was a little hellion in her own way hanging out with all her boys cousins, she always got in a lot of trouble. I think my uncle Huey was pretty calm but my uncle Mark has been on drugs and alcohol most of his life, and the baby my uncle Travis has the biggest heart and a mouth to match. They all fight like cats and dogs with each other, but if one is in trouble they all have each others backs. 

My Granny is truly one of the sweetest ladies I have ever know, and although she never had any money she was not short on making sure we had full stomachs and lots of cakes to eat on when we came to visit. I really got to know her about 5 years ago when she made a huge trip up to NYC to come see me. She was the cutest little lady walking around trying to charm everyone with her sweet southern talk. She loves her grandkids all nine of us and she loves her great grandkids even more there are almost 8 of them. I love this lady so much, I hate that she is so far away from me and getting older. But she loves God with all of her heart so I know we will always have eternity together.

Isn't she amazing!

Meet my mother, Theresa Faye. She was born in Miami the second child of six in 1951. Some of the fun things I found that happened that year was The Catcher in the Rye is first published, I love Lucy makes its television debut, and Audrey Hepburn stars in Gigi. There was also a lot of nuclear testing that year for some reason.

My mother had a tough childhood, dealing with a father who was never there but worked them to death when he was and took their money when they got paid. She also had a sister that she loved but felt like was the favorite of the family and three young brothers that she felt like she needed to always bail out of trouble. She moved out of the house at age 18 to try and escape it and married her high school sweetheart. He turned out to be an alcoholic who was having an affair with her best friend. My mom decided to stay with him and one Saturday night he asked Christ to come into his life only for him to die the next afternoon. She was about 5 months pregnant with a little boy who she lost because of the grief. A friend talked her into going into college where she meet my dad (yay!) and they got married not too long after meeting.

My mom is the second strongest woman I know. She has had to deal with so much and is still a sane person. Being married to my father hasn't been the easiest for her either and although they love each other very much they too have had their battles. She has taught me so many things, like how to be a strong woman, to stand up for what I believe in, and to stand up for others. To help those in need even if I have to give up so much of what I have because they need it more. She taught me to love God with all of my heart, and even though things don't always go my way or I won't always understand what answers He gives us to never give up on Him. I have been truly blessed to have her as my mother, and although I frustrate her more than anything she still helps me out all the time. I love you MOM!

so cute!

And there is me, Elizabeth Caroline. The only child born in the fabulous 1980's in Tennessee.  During this year the summer Olympics are boycotted in Moscow, Pac Man is released, CNN is launched and Ronald Reagan becomes president, a dingo takes a baby, everyone gets to figure out the long awaited question of who shot JR, and sadly John Lennon is murdered. 

I had a great childhood, and although there is plenty I don't remember I always felt loved and very happy. Even my crazy teen years didn't leave too much of a scar on me, I had a great mom who would always listen and help me work things out. And even though I didn't always want the advice she always had something insightful to say. I have definitely had my moments where I have had to learn to become a strong woman myself, but I am glad that I didn't have to go through what my mom and granny went though. I only hope my kids will think I am a great mommy one day like I think those two ladies are. I still have a lot of learning to do. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!



baby bump already showing!