Personal Childhood Web

She has been the absolute most influential person in my life. She's my mom, Joan. She raised me to always be honest, denpendable, and tha no matter what happens in life, family will be there in the end. My mom worked hard to raise all 3 of her children as a single parent but she always tried to make sure that we spent time together as a family. I remember her playing outside with us and she taught me everything about how to bake. She stayed with me when I was in the hospital frequently for asthma and was always my advocate because let's face it...a mother knows best! Today she is the person that I know when I need help with a problem, she will be there for me. She has also taught me that children are the center of a family. I believe she is the one who made me realize that working with children is in my heart.





My dad, John, worked to provide for his family. He was the man I looked up to and knew he would do anything to protect his family. I felt special with him when, with 5 older siblings and 1 younger, I was the one he allowed to help him construct new things for the house like the back deck and shed. There was something when he didn't need to say anything to you but with just a wink, he made you feel like you were his favorite person. In my father's illness, he taught me that there should be nothing to fear in life. He tried to do everything he wanted without regret and in the end, he showed that he was not afraid of anything, even death.





This picture shows all of my dad's children (my younger sister, Lisa, is in the middle). My brother, Steve, was always the protective, observer of the family. I remember as a child anytime I had bad fights with my sister, he always defended me or would always make sure that I was safe. One of my favorite memories was when he would kneel onto his knees and dance with me so that we were on the same level. Even though he lives miles away now, we have a great understanding that if either of us needed anything, we were there for each other. He is also the type of father that I look up to because of his humor and sense of responsibility with his daughter. He is the one that can always make you laugh without saying a word.






My older sister, Sheila, is my best friend. We are often mistaken for twins (although we are 4 years apart) and I think there is something to that. As a child she took care of me when our mom was at work by making dinner and making sure that I was safe. She made me feel special by taking me with her whenever she was hanging out with her friends, She never made me feel like the annoying little sister. She made me feel like she wanted me there and that I was an important part of her life. She has always been my biggest role model. I am amazed at how she handles her 3 children, work as a daycare director, and online schooling. She is the person in my life that will always make me see the other side to a story to never give up no matter what you face in life.