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During my mother's Avon days, one day she took me with
her to deliver some product to a customer. I was supposed
to stay on the customer's front lawn, but next door a boy
about my age came out to play. He was the first Black
person I had ever seen. Hurrying over to his steps, I asked
him how he had gotten so dirty. He checked his hands,
back and front, and declared that they were clean. I was
shocked that anyone could say that and believe it. He told
me that his skin was always a brown black color. I asked
him why his palms were white. He didn't know, so he went
in to ask his mother. When she came out, I was surprised
again to see that her skin was dark, too. With great kindness
she confirmed what her son had told me regarding their skin
color and said that his father's skin was blacker yet. While
she talked, she cored a fresh pear and cut it in half so my
new friend and I could sit on the front step and eat. Mom
came out of the house next door, and with great enthusiasm,
I began to tell her all the new facts I had just discovered
about skin.
.
her to deliver some product to a customer. I was supposed
to stay on the customer's front lawn, but next door a boy
about my age came out to play. He was the first Black
person I had ever seen. Hurrying over to his steps, I asked
him how he had gotten so dirty. He checked his hands,
back and front, and declared that they were clean. I was
shocked that anyone could say that and believe it. He told
me that his skin was always a brown black color. I asked
him why his palms were white. He didn't know, so he went
in to ask his mother. When she came out, I was surprised
again to see that her skin was dark, too. With great kindness
she confirmed what her son had told me regarding their skin
color and said that his father's skin was blacker yet. While
she talked, she cored a fresh pear and cut it in half so my
new friend and I could sit on the front step and eat. Mom
came out of the house next door, and with great enthusiasm,
I began to tell her all the new facts I had just discovered
about skin.
.
We had friendly young sparrows that lived in the
bushes near our house. I would pick them up and they
would let me hold them for awhile. I took one
downstairs to show my mother who was washing
clothes in the basement. I cupped my hand over the
bird and had Mom guess what I had. She couldn't
guess, so I showed her, and she had me hurry to take
it outside so it could be free.
bushes near our house. I would pick them up and they
would let me hold them for awhile. I took one
downstairs to show my mother who was washing
clothes in the basement. I cupped my hand over the
bird and had Mom guess what I had. She couldn't
guess, so I showed her, and she had me hurry to take
it outside so it could be free.
Rosie and Phoebe were Janet's and my two favorite
dolls. They were very big--almost as tall as we were
and had elastics on the bottoms of their feet that slipped
over our feet so we could dance with them. Phoebe
was tallest, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Rosie was
a little smaller, with brown eyes and dark hair.
Sometimes Mom let us girls take cookies or crackers
outside.We shared them with our friend, Gayle. The
seat of my tricycle easily transformed into a table and
we used our two rocking chairs and a blow-up toy horse
for chairs.
dolls. They were very big--almost as tall as we were
and had elastics on the bottoms of their feet that slipped
over our feet so we could dance with them. Phoebe
was tallest, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Rosie was
a little smaller, with brown eyes and dark hair.
Sometimes Mom let us girls take cookies or crackers
outside.We shared them with our friend, Gayle. The
seat of my tricycle easily transformed into a table and
we used our two rocking chairs and a blow-up toy horse
for chairs.
Janet was getting some rest outside on a blanket on our
lawn one day, when the son of one of my father's bosses
came over and decided to tease her until she woke up.
Feeling a need to protect Janet, I ran over, pushed his
shoulder, and told him to leave her alone, because she
needed her nap. He was two years older than I was and
much bigger, so he just laughed at me. One quick punch
sent him screaming home with a bloodied nose and
his mother called mine to ask why I had been bullying
her son.
lawn one day, when the son of one of my father's bosses
came over and decided to tease her until she woke up.
Feeling a need to protect Janet, I ran over, pushed his
shoulder, and told him to leave her alone, because she
needed her nap. He was two years older than I was and
much bigger, so he just laughed at me. One quick punch
sent him screaming home with a bloodied nose and
his mother called mine to ask why I had been bullying
her son.
I remember the feelings I had as I stood on a stool, on
my tip toes, to peek over the small podium to give my
first talk. Mother taught me and coached me until I knew
well what I would say, so I loved to give talks. Daddy
taught me to relax by taking a deep breath, letting it go,
and then smiling to help the audience relax with me,
before I began to speak. Every time my teacher asked
who would like to give a talk, my hand went up. On one
occasion, a few years later, I forgot to tell my mother
that I had a talk assignment, so during the opening song,
I made up a talk about a boy who found a lost puppy
and wanted to keep him, but with great honesty, took
the pup around the neighborhood until he found the
rightful owner. After Sunday school, Mom was
complimented on how well prepared I always was for
my talks.
my tip toes, to peek over the small podium to give my
first talk. Mother taught me and coached me until I knew
well what I would say, so I loved to give talks. Daddy
taught me to relax by taking a deep breath, letting it go,
and then smiling to help the audience relax with me,
before I began to speak. Every time my teacher asked
who would like to give a talk, my hand went up. On one
occasion, a few years later, I forgot to tell my mother
that I had a talk assignment, so during the opening song,
I made up a talk about a boy who found a lost puppy
and wanted to keep him, but with great honesty, took
the pup around the neighborhood until he found the
rightful owner. After Sunday school, Mom was
complimented on how well prepared I always was for
my talks.
Junior Sunday school was an exciting experience for
me. As a three year old Sunbeam, I remember our class
sitting on tiny gray stools and tiny red benches that
were just my size. I listened carefully as my teacher
spoke of all of God's beautiful and wonderful creations.
She told me that God had made them all just for me to
enjoy. I was very impressed with this news! It took me
a few more lessons--perhaps years of lessons--to help
me understand that I wasn't God's only favorite child,
just one of them. Anyway, I did feel Heavenly Father's
love. My favorite primary song was "Jesus Wants Me
for a Sunbeam." I was recruited! I wanted to shine for
Him each day!
me. As a three year old Sunbeam, I remember our class
sitting on tiny gray stools and tiny red benches that
were just my size. I listened carefully as my teacher
spoke of all of God's beautiful and wonderful creations.
She told me that God had made them all just for me to
enjoy. I was very impressed with this news! It took me
a few more lessons--perhaps years of lessons--to help
me understand that I wasn't God's only favorite child,
just one of them. Anyway, I did feel Heavenly Father's
love. My favorite primary song was "Jesus Wants Me
for a Sunbeam." I was recruited! I wanted to shine for
Him each day!
On 5 March 1956 my little sister, Janet Elizabeth Watson,
was born in Provo, Utah, Utah, at Utah Valley Hospital.
It seemed strange to me that Heavenly Father would send
our new baby to the hospital, and that Mom and Dad had
to go there to get her. Aunt Marilyn was in Idaho helping
my grandmother, so I had to stay with Uncle Alma and
Aunt Ella Tilley. Daddy called me when Janet was born
which made me feel quite important. When at last Dad
brought Mom and baby Janet home, they let me sit on the
sofa with a big pillow on my lap to hold the new baby all
by myself. I was thrilled!
was born in Provo, Utah, Utah, at Utah Valley Hospital.
It seemed strange to me that Heavenly Father would send
our new baby to the hospital, and that Mom and Dad had
to go there to get her. Aunt Marilyn was in Idaho helping
my grandmother, so I had to stay with Uncle Alma and
Aunt Ella Tilley. Daddy called me when Janet was born
which made me feel quite important. When at last Dad
brought Mom and baby Janet home, they let me sit on the
sofa with a big pillow on my lap to hold the new baby all
by myself. I was thrilled!
I remember learning new words and practicing the
pronouncing of them by repeating the word until
someone near me would recognize what I was saying
and acknowledge my success by also saying the word.
I was eager for communication and so happy whenever
I had mastered a new word enough to have it recognized.
pronouncing of them by repeating the word until
someone near me would recognize what I was saying
and acknowledge my success by also saying the word.
I was eager for communication and so happy whenever
I had mastered a new word enough to have it recognized.
One day I got out the screen door while Mom and
Gram were busy. I walked over to some two year old
colts that were tied to the hitching rail. I thought they
were wonderful and so huge. I tried to talk with them,
but they seemed uneasy to have me near. They
probably didn't quite know what I was. That's where
my scared mother found me, practically under them,
but miraculously safe.
Gram were busy. I walked over to some two year old
colts that were tied to the hitching rail. I thought they
were wonderful and so huge. I tried to talk with them,
but they seemed uneasy to have me near. They
probably didn't quite know what I was. That's where
my scared mother found me, practically under them,
but miraculously safe.
Dirt really bothered me when I was little--and on
Grandpa's dry farm there were over three hundred
acres of dirt. I worried about walking on it because
it would get on my pretty white shoes. I tried walking
only on my heels or on the sides of my feet to avoid
the dirt. When that didn't work, I would yell, "Dut!
Dut!" (Meaning "Dirt!" and demand to be carried.
After a while I got over my phobia and learned to
outright enjoy the dirt.
Grandpa's dry farm there were over three hundred
acres of dirt. I worried about walking on it because
it would get on my pretty white shoes. I tried walking
only on my heels or on the sides of my feet to avoid
the dirt. When that didn't work, I would yell, "Dut!
Dut!" (Meaning "Dirt!" and demand to be carried.
After a while I got over my phobia and learned to
outright enjoy the dirt.
Grandpa had a huge Doberman pincher named Bing.
Bing was a great watch dog because he looked
ferocious. When people drove up, he held them in
their cars and they would honk their horns until my
aunts, Linda and Lisa, would run out and drag Bing
off while the visitor would get out and come in the
house. From the first, Bing and I were good through-
the-screen-door friends. I remember pushing my nose
against the lower screen and feeling his cold wet nose
against mine. He also helped to watch me and keep
me out of trouble when Linda or Lisa took me outside
to play. My first word was "dog."
Bing was a great watch dog because he looked
ferocious. When people drove up, he held them in
their cars and they would honk their horns until my
aunts, Linda and Lisa, would run out and drag Bing
off while the visitor would get out and come in the
house. From the first, Bing and I were good through-
the-screen-door friends. I remember pushing my nose
against the lower screen and feeling his cold wet nose
against mine. He also helped to watch me and keep
me out of trouble when Linda or Lisa took me outside
to play. My first word was "dog."
Some of my mischief started here at my
grandparent's home. I clearly remember
playing at Grandmother's wooden book
cases--sometimes drawing in the light
dust on the shelves I could reach--
sometimes running my hand along the
even backs of the books--sometimes
pushing them clear to the back of the shelf
--and I especially enjoyed pulling them
clear out, and tumbling them to the floor.
Interestingly, when Mom put them back
on the shelf she added another book,
making them ever so much tighter and
the challenge of getting them loose more
exciting. Once one came out, I could
empty the whole shelf in no time!
grandparent's home. I clearly remember
playing at Grandmother's wooden book
cases--sometimes drawing in the light
dust on the shelves I could reach--
sometimes running my hand along the
even backs of the books--sometimes
pushing them clear to the back of the shelf
--and I especially enjoyed pulling them
clear out, and tumbling them to the floor.
Interestingly, when Mom put them back
on the shelf she added another book,
making them ever so much tighter and
the challenge of getting them loose more
exciting. Once one came out, I could
empty the whole shelf in no time!
Stravell Patterson Finance transferred us to Pueblo,
Colorado. Our brother, Joseph Edwin Watson, Jr.
was born in Pueblo on 11 July 1958. Janet and I
stayed with Mom's cousins, Dennis and Sheryl
Higginson. Mom almost died giving birth to Joey.
We went with Daddy to bring her home from the
hospital. They wheeled her out in a wheelchair and
she looked pale. When I first looked at our new
baby brother, Joey was crying and his face was red
and all scrunched up. I was very glad, later at home,
to see that he looked cute when he was calm and
happy. After holding him on a pillow on our laps,
Janet and I decided that we really did like our new
baby Joey, a lot.
Colorado. Our brother, Joseph Edwin Watson, Jr.
was born in Pueblo on 11 July 1958. Janet and I
stayed with Mom's cousins, Dennis and Sheryl
Higginson. Mom almost died giving birth to Joey.
We went with Daddy to bring her home from the
hospital. They wheeled her out in a wheelchair and
she looked pale. When I first looked at our new
baby brother, Joey was crying and his face was red
and all scrunched up. I was very glad, later at home,
to see that he looked cute when he was calm and
happy. After holding him on a pillow on our laps,
Janet and I decided that we really did like our new
baby Joey, a lot.
For Christmas, 1958, Janet and I got our stick horses.
Mine was made out of red corduroy with a black
yarn mane and black felt eyes. I named her "Star"
after one of Grandpa's best mares. Janet's was wild-
colored and spotted with a white mane and looked
like an Indian pony. Janet named hers
"Pow-wow-cheeka." Both were good and faithful
horses.
Mine was made out of red corduroy with a black
yarn mane and black felt eyes. I named her "Star"
after one of Grandpa's best mares. Janet's was wild-
colored and spotted with a white mane and looked
like an Indian pony. Janet named hers
"Pow-wow-cheeka." Both were good and faithful
horses.
We first three kids did a lot of playing together as
we grew up. We played house and made mud pies,
built things out of blocks, raced toy cars, and made
zoos or miniature farms out of plastic animal sets;
later graduating to games like cowboys and Indians,
cops and robbers and army war games. Jane and Joey
wanted me to tell them stories every nap and bedtime
and I retold all the ones Mom read to us and then
made up more stories for them.
we grew up. We played house and made mud pies,
built things out of blocks, raced toy cars, and made
zoos or miniature farms out of plastic animal sets;
later graduating to games like cowboys and Indians,
cops and robbers and army war games. Jane and Joey
wanted me to tell them stories every nap and bedtime
and I retold all the ones Mom read to us and then
made up more stories for them.
About the only other thing I can remember
about Colorado is that a big brown cockroach
lived behind our red kitchen clock on the wall
above the stove. We didn't like cockroaches
one bit. We moved back to Provo, Utah.
about Colorado is that a big brown cockroach
lived behind our red kitchen clock on the wall
above the stove. We didn't like cockroaches
one bit. We moved back to Provo, Utah.
Provo is where I attended kindergarten at Timpanogas
Elementary. The first day, Mom curled and styled my
hair in a special way. Daddy took a movie of me
waving at them as I went into my new school. I was
so excited that I could hardly remember how scared
I felt. I had a thick pale green towel to roll out for nap
time. We learned songs, had reading time, played
house in a child-size play kitchen area and built
fortresses with huge plastic blocks at play time, and
ate graham crackers and milk for a snack. The blocks
were my favorite toys. I liked to make castles or trains
out of them. I enjoyed learning. All in all, kindergarten
was a nice experience.
Elementary. The first day, Mom curled and styled my
hair in a special way. Daddy took a movie of me
waving at them as I went into my new school. I was
so excited that I could hardly remember how scared
I felt. I had a thick pale green towel to roll out for nap
time. We learned songs, had reading time, played
house in a child-size play kitchen area and built
fortresses with huge plastic blocks at play time, and
ate graham crackers and milk for a snack. The blocks
were my favorite toys. I liked to make castles or trains
out of them. I enjoyed learning. All in all, kindergarten
was a nice experience.
My parents taught me that I was a child of God, and that
I must remember this truth, letting this knowledge shine
in everything I did. I believed them. Adding to my
confidence, as I was fixing my hair in front of a mirror
before school one day, daddy told me that I was as good
as anyone in the world, as long as my teeth were brushed.
That brought a smile into my heart. I believed him, and
this has given me great confidence in many of life's
arenas. As I prepare for job interviews, etc., I again hear
his voice, "Elaine, you are as good as anyone in the world
as long as you have your teeth brushed." So I brush my
teeth, remember who I am, and enjoy being me.
I must remember this truth, letting this knowledge shine
in everything I did. I believed them. Adding to my
confidence, as I was fixing my hair in front of a mirror
before school one day, daddy told me that I was as good
as anyone in the world, as long as my teeth were brushed.
That brought a smile into my heart. I believed him, and
this has given me great confidence in many of life's
arenas. As I prepare for job interviews, etc., I again hear
his voice, "Elaine, you are as good as anyone in the world
as long as you have your teeth brushed." So I brush my
teeth, remember who I am, and enjoy being me.
When I got home that afternoon, I gave the note to
my mother. When Dad got home that evening, after
dinner, he took me on his knee and then casually
asked me how school had gone. I explained that I
had quit and told him that it would be necessary
for him to sign a paper for my teacher. To my
surprise, he did not agree with my plan. None of my
arguments even swayed him. Despite my tears and
pouting, Daddy patiently explained that the laws of
our whole nation, the United States of America, said
that all children had to go to school and that I had
to go for at least the next twelve years--perhaps even
more if I went to college. He comforted me with the
news that I would get summer vacation time each
year, but I was terribly sad.
my mother. When Dad got home that evening, after
dinner, he took me on his knee and then casually
asked me how school had gone. I explained that I
had quit and told him that it would be necessary
for him to sign a paper for my teacher. To my
surprise, he did not agree with my plan. None of my
arguments even swayed him. Despite my tears and
pouting, Daddy patiently explained that the laws of
our whole nation, the United States of America, said
that all children had to go to school and that I had
to go for at least the next twelve years--perhaps even
more if I went to college. He comforted me with the
news that I would get summer vacation time each
year, but I was terribly sad.
When Janet, Joey and I were little kids together, we
had good times with Mom and Dad. Mother read
wonderful stories to us. She planted a love for good
literature in my heart that I hold dear today. I
remember us three kids sitting in a row on Daddy's
side as he lay on the couch to watch television. During
the advertisements, all three of us would try to pull
him off the davino. He tickled us. That was really a
rowdy game and the living room would be filled with
squeals, giggles, and yells for Mom. We played soldier,
using Dad's army and marine hats and even cleaned
house while playing soldier. We had contests about
cleaning our rooms. Dad made a beautiful wooden
toy chest, which would be the prize for whoever did
the best job over several weeks. Joey won! His room
was cleanest and the toy chest was his!
had good times with Mom and Dad. Mother read
wonderful stories to us. She planted a love for good
literature in my heart that I hold dear today. I
remember us three kids sitting in a row on Daddy's
side as he lay on the couch to watch television. During
the advertisements, all three of us would try to pull
him off the davino. He tickled us. That was really a
rowdy game and the living room would be filled with
squeals, giggles, and yells for Mom. We played soldier,
using Dad's army and marine hats and even cleaned
house while playing soldier. We had contests about
cleaning our rooms. Dad made a beautiful wooden
toy chest, which would be the prize for whoever did
the best job over several weeks. Joey won! His room
was cleanest and the toy chest was his!
Once when I was outdoors I found a newborn calf
lying in the field near the house. I thought it would
be fun to go see it up close and to touch it. Being
almost two, I was unaware of the mother cow, but
she was very aware of me.Lisa was nearby and saw
the angry cow coming at me. Quickly she caught me
up into her arms and ran to the house, with the cow
giving us a good chase. Thank you, Lisa!
lying in the field near the house. I thought it would
be fun to go see it up close and to touch it. Being
almost two, I was unaware of the mother cow, but
she was very aware of me.Lisa was nearby and saw
the angry cow coming at me. Quickly she caught me
up into her arms and ran to the house, with the cow
giving us a good chase. Thank you, Lisa!
When I was six months old, Daddy received orders to
go overseas to fight in a war in Korea. Though the
enemy gave up when he was heading over there, my
father stayed to disarm the Japanese. He would be
gone from us for over a year. During his tour of duty,
Mom and I went "home" to stay with Grandpa and
Gram on a farm near Eagle, Idaho. While my father was
gone overseas, Mom taught me to love him. Every
night before I said my prayers and went to bed, Mom
faithfully got down Daddy's picture and we kissed him
goodnight. We also prayed for him. Daddy was released
from his service 25 June 1955 and came home to us from
the Orient. The nightly picture kissing ritual had a special
effect on our reunion. He came home in a taxi cab, and
everyone was so excited. At first I hid behind Mom's skirt,
but then I whispered to her to please get the picture. We
got it together. I looked at the picture, studied dad, and
then checked him over once again. Then I cried, "Daddy!"
and ran into his arms. We were a family again.
go overseas to fight in a war in Korea. Though the
enemy gave up when he was heading over there, my
father stayed to disarm the Japanese. He would be
gone from us for over a year. During his tour of duty,
Mom and I went "home" to stay with Grandpa and
Gram on a farm near Eagle, Idaho. While my father was
gone overseas, Mom taught me to love him. Every
night before I said my prayers and went to bed, Mom
faithfully got down Daddy's picture and we kissed him
goodnight. We also prayed for him. Daddy was released
from his service 25 June 1955 and came home to us from
the Orient. The nightly picture kissing ritual had a special
effect on our reunion. He came home in a taxi cab, and
everyone was so excited. At first I hid behind Mom's skirt,
but then I whispered to her to please get the picture. We
got it together. I looked at the picture, studied dad, and
then checked him over once again. Then I cried, "Daddy!"
and ran into his arms. We were a family again.
That winter, Mom took me to Provo, Utah where we
lived with Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Floyd Lundquist.
Floyd was a student at BYU. While we were there,
Mom attended a quarter a Brigham Young University.
One of my early memories of this time period was
finding little dust balls under some of the furniture.
Shouting the battle cry, "Dut! Dut!" over and over
again, I went to the kitchen and tried to pull the broom
out of its place between the wall and the refrigerator.
After great effort, I was able to get it free and I worked
hard to get after those dust balls, but had such a time
trying to manage that huge broom with furniture in the
way! I couldn't imagine why my mother an Aunt Marilyn
were so involved in visiting on the couch in the living
room and not the least bit interested in the important
project that I was struggling with.
lived with Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Floyd Lundquist.
Floyd was a student at BYU. While we were there,
Mom attended a quarter a Brigham Young University.
One of my early memories of this time period was
finding little dust balls under some of the furniture.
Shouting the battle cry, "Dut! Dut!" over and over
again, I went to the kitchen and tried to pull the broom
out of its place between the wall and the refrigerator.
After great effort, I was able to get it free and I worked
hard to get after those dust balls, but had such a time
trying to manage that huge broom with furniture in the
way! I couldn't imagine why my mother an Aunt Marilyn
were so involved in visiting on the couch in the living
room and not the least bit interested in the important
project that I was struggling with.
Since my parents had taught me the alphabet and to look
forward to school, my attitude was great. Then one of the
less happy children in my class told me that once you
started school, they make you go for years--at least twelve
more years after kindergarten. I was not math genius, but I
quickly figured that twelve years was more than twice as
long as my whole life time had been! It seemed like an
eternity! I was sad to do it, but after class, before I left that
day, I explained to my teacher that I was quitting school
and that she would never see me again. As I followed my
announcement with a goodbye hug, she asked me what
seemed to be the problem, stating that she thought I liked
school. I told her that I loved school and enjoyed her, but I
had thought it out and was firm about my decision to quit.
She told me that she was sorry and asked me to please take
a note home to my parents, as I would need their permission
before I could quit school.
forward to school, my attitude was great. Then one of the
less happy children in my class told me that once you
started school, they make you go for years--at least twelve
more years after kindergarten. I was not math genius, but I
quickly figured that twelve years was more than twice as
long as my whole life time had been! It seemed like an
eternity! I was sad to do it, but after class, before I left that
day, I explained to my teacher that I was quitting school
and that she would never see me again. As I followed my
announcement with a goodbye hug, she asked me what
seemed to be the problem, stating that she thought I liked
school. I told her that I loved school and enjoyed her, but I
had thought it out and was firm about my decision to quit.
She told me that she was sorry and asked me to please take
a note home to my parents, as I would need their permission
before I could quit school.
Then Dad shared a truth with me that has blessed my
life ever after. He said that I had absolutely no choice
about whether or not I would go to school, but that I
could choose whether to be sad or happy. He said that
I could decide to be sad and wear a miserable face so
that anyone seeing me would also be miserable and
not want to be around; or I could decide to be happy
and smile and laugh and have a great time, which
would help others around me feel happy, and bring
me many good friends. He agreed that twelve years or
more was a very long time, and asked me which I
wanted to be--sad for twelve long years--or happy for
twelve long years. That choice was all mine. With my
new perspective, I happily made the decision to have a
great time both in school and in life. My teacher was
pleased with my new decision. How grateful I am for
this gift from my father, this early yet powerful lesson
of life--that no matter the situations I face in life, I can
choose how I respond. I can choose to be happy.
life ever after. He said that I had absolutely no choice
about whether or not I would go to school, but that I
could choose whether to be sad or happy. He said that
I could decide to be sad and wear a miserable face so
that anyone seeing me would also be miserable and
not want to be around; or I could decide to be happy
and smile and laugh and have a great time, which
would help others around me feel happy, and bring
me many good friends. He agreed that twelve years or
more was a very long time, and asked me which I
wanted to be--sad for twelve long years--or happy for
twelve long years. That choice was all mine. With my
new perspective, I happily made the decision to have a
great time both in school and in life. My teacher was
pleased with my new decision. How grateful I am for
this gift from my father, this early yet powerful lesson
of life--that no matter the situations I face in life, I can
choose how I respond. I can choose to be happy.
GOLDEN TELLING
