FAMILY TIES

Sometimes on T.V. I catch the old shows like Leave It To Beaver and Father Knows Best; the kind that show what the perfect family would be like. I know I most certianly don't have such a family, i'm not sure anyone does anymore, but I love my family all the same, even if whe have been called "Jerry Springer Rejects". Here is a little over view before I go into any discription. My parents Married six months before I was born and were divorced when I was three years old. They have since both remarried. I have a step brother and sister, and two half brothers. Where do I fit into the mix? well it's a LONG story.

Lets start with My Dad's side of the family, since I spent most of my life with him.

DAD

My Dad's name is David, he's not quiet an old man as yet. He works for the DNR, has for almost 13 years now. He's of medium height with brown hair thats starting to grey (not my fault!)He's got big blue eyes that shake when he's mad. (I kid you not, his eyes actually shake, it's the freakiest thing!) He can be kind, he can be cruel.. he's a man all in all I supose. I'm not particularly close to him, not as I should be..... *Update*

Dad and I aren't the closest father/daughter in the world, but we've come a long way. I know now that I can depend on him if I need him, and he can actually say he's proud of me. a year, 2 years ago I would have never thought it possible, but I've come to know anything is possible with him.

ANGIE

My father started dating a woman named Angie when i was about...oh 9 or so I think. They married when i was 14. I won't lie and say life was a bed of roses, it surely wouldn't, and it ended in a confrontation that shipped me out to my mothers. But things are different now. She's happy with herself, and can be happy to and for others, and we are really quite close. Recently I've started calling her mom, something I NEVER would have thought I could do. CHILDREN

Angie had two children, who have asked to remain nameless, and I have always found joy in them. They have always been friends and allies when I needed some; we've always shared a strong bond and they have touched my heart in ways they will never know. They are great kids.

GRANDMA AND GRANDPA

My grandparents have always been my greatest sorce of strenght. When I was little, I spent most of my time with them and I have always found them a foundation. Now that I'm grown I move from place to place a lot, but I spend every summer with them. Grandma and I dont' get along all that well, but their is an abiding love that we have for eachother, that keeps me comming back every year. My grandpa is the only person I have completly and without hesitance trusted in my entire life. I have never had a doubt about how much he loved me or that he was proud of me, and I have never doubted his spirit. He has inspired me in ways I will never be able to explain. I have never loved someone so much in all my life, I think i never will either.


UNCLE LARRY, AUNT JULIE AND CHILDRENS...
My uncle Larry and Aunt Julie along with their children have always been a particular comfort to me. They are always there for me, and were so wonderfull to me when their was friction with Dad. Next to my Grandparents they were the ones that I would turn to during the hard years. I have always knows that their door is open for me any time, and I can call and talk if I need to vent, or if i'm troubled. Since my Grandparents are only around half the year, It's always great having Uncle Larry and Aunt Julie around because they are very strong, and in being so have shown me how to be strong, and I'm very gratefull to them.

AUNT ARDIE
My aunt Ardie is really my great aunt, my grandfathers oldest sister. She's really quiet elderly. She lives alone in an apartment and I've always enjoyed her company. She's very artzy, and from a very early age I've always looked to her as a fuel for my creative fire. She was always the one who supported all my creative endevers, like knitting and embrordering and I learned quiet a few nifty trades from her.

Those are the most important from my Dad's Side Of the Family.. And moving on to my Mum's Side.

MUM<br>
My Mum (who would like to remain nameless) Is very young three years my fathers junior. I could go on and on about her, but our relationship is very complicated. I'm told that after she left my father she took me with her, but he eventually got custody of me. I have no memory of this, but I do remember that growing up she really wasn't around much. She was like this distant icon that I totally idolized. I didn't really start getting to know her untill after My father and I parted ways and I came to live with her when I was 15. I learned right away that she was NOT perfect. We have an...ok realationship but that strong bond that most mothers and daughters have just isn't really there for us, because I didn't have her around growing up, not when I really needed her. I don't fault her thought, because she did what she had to do at the time, and I dont' regret the life I've lived without her. I do love her very much and I see her a lot in who I've become. I have her whit, biting sarcasism and quirky sence of humor. And benethe all the complications their is this connection that most mothers and daughters don't have, because my grandma wasn't around much when my Mum was growing up, so we have this unique kind of bond and understand each other really well on some odd level.


THE STEP FATHER

I won't say his name because he'd probobly hit the roof if I did. To say that I like this guy would be an extream streach, yet I won't bash him on this site, because well, acting like that is beneath me. He's a reasonably good father to my brothers who love him dearly and he provides for them well. I can't fault him for that.

My Brothers I have two little brothers who are the light of my life. In my eyes the are and always will be perfect angels. I could go on and on for pages about how much I love them, and how much I miss them every day, but I won't because Mum has asked that I not talk too much about them, and to explain I'd have to describe them. I've promised not to. But I'll tell you this: Because of them I have never wished that Mum and Dad could get back together, because I would be just lost if they didn't exsist just as they do!