"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
Luke 13:24
Charge! That's me. Unafraid and born to be "different." : - ) How can you be a true Christian these days and be any other way?!
My Mom standing on the steps with her sister Marion and her husband Curtis and two kids at the time (she had another later). Aunt Marion's two kids in this picture (and my cousins) her son David (you'll see David grown up below with his 1st wife Heidi) and daughter, Joy Jean.
My Grandpa's barn. I think the one coming out of the barn is my brother. My cousin Kenny is looking up. My brothers spent a lot of Easter vacations cleaning out that barn. Kenny died in his 50s.
My Mom's oldest sister Marion again. This is her 2nd daughter, Faith Ann, who she gave birth to after Joy Jean.
Aunt Marion's son David and his first wife Heidie on Grandpa's farm. David has lived his entire life (or the part I remember) in California where my Aunt and Uncle taught school. After my Aunt and Uncle retired they moved back to the family farm and lived until they died. I was young when this picture was taken. I thought Heidie with her bleach blond hair was beautiful, and classy! I think she actually "was." But, soon after this picture Heidie turned hippie and divorced David. : - ) She literally gave away all her possessions and went off hitch hiking. And that was the last I ever heard of Heidie.
My Grandma with my cousin Chris.
My Mom's brother and his family in my Grandma's kitchen. My Grandpa is to the right and another brother's wife beside him.
Before I was born. Cousins on my Grandparent's farm. Looks like party time.
My Grandma with my Mom's youngest sister, Adria.
Joy Jean with another Uncle's son.
Aunt Adria with my brother.
Pinky and me! I still remember Pinky well. No I was not trying to hang him.
My Mom on the right with her sister Anita, and a mystery man! Which is very strange, since my Mom always acted to me like she was never allowed out of the house until she was 19 y.o., and only then to marry my Dad. I'm so perplexed. : - )
I'm the little one-with my older sister and my cousin.
I'm the little one in the middle-with my Grandma (holding my younger sister), older sister, brother (behind me) and two cousins.
Cousins-again before I was born.
My Dad and my brother.
My Mom's youngest brother, Danny. He died of Leukemia at age 18 y.o. This picture must have been taken right before or right after they learned he was sick. He lived less than a year after he was diagnosed. My Mom used to tell us how sick he was that year. His pain was so bad they couldn't touch his bed without hurting him. Before that though he went blind and they couldn't move the furniture. My Grandmother said the first winter after he died she thought she would lose her mind.
My brother at Danny's grave. I've been reading letters from the 60s and 70s my Grandmother had written to my Mom. My Grandma was old and sick. She wrote, "Dr. Keck says if I behave myself I will live several more years. But, if I don't I'll just get to be with Danny."
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
Exodus 20:5
