The instructions here say that I should share a little biographical information--as opposed to biological information, like that I have a lot of freckles, or that I have a Miller's thumb. (You'll have to google that). So I won't talk about that kind of stuff.
I was born in a small town in upstate New York back in the 60's. We moved to a small town in Washington when I was 3, where I grew up in a little white house (with my mom, dad and toy telephone wielding sister and where mom still lives). There were several mills in Longview (International Paper, Weyerhauser, Reynolds Metals) being that the city borders the north bank of the Columbia River before it makes it's final 50 mile journey to the ocean and where ships from Japan and other countries could come and go easily. So there was always a lot of smog and mill odor in the air. (One of my college friends, upon visiting my home city, said that explained a lot about me. You can interpret that however you wish).
I had a Dorothy Hamill haircut and I wore a lot of big-flower-printed tops with my bell bottoms. My favorite pair were gold and purple plaid. They didn't go very well with my big-flowered tops. My sister was tall and thin (like my mom) and I was sort of tall and not-so thin (like no one else in my family)...which was a bit of a sore spot with me until I realized I didn't have to share my clothes with anyone. Just another reminder that there are always benefits to any situation if you look hard enough.
I thought I loved a boy named David in the fourth grade. He moved away before I had a chance to write a love note to him on a scrap of notebook paper and stick it in his history book like I did with Jeffrey the next year. Every time I hear the song "I Can See Clearly Now" I think of David, since that was the big song that year. I think I thought I loved six other boys before I graduated High School. I don't think any of them thought they loved me back.
Our dad drank a lot during our growing up years. He moved out when I was 12. It wasn't a particularly happy time in our family, but my mom was a master at making things seem okay, and I feel like, in many ways, I was a lucky girl in spite of tough circumstances.
I played the piano ALL the time back then and took piano lessons from age 7 to age 18...I met a lot of great friends and had a lot of great musical opportunities throughout high school since I got to accompany just about everybody who sang at my church or school or around town. I loved to sing too, but played more during those years. I ate, slept and breathed music during those years.
I graduated and went to college in Seattle where I broadened my world, made some more great friends, had wonderful roommates, thought I loved a few more boys and got a good education. My mom worked really hard to put me through school...I didn't appreciate it or realize the significance of her selflessness at the time like I do now. I've used my musical education just about every day since I graduated. What a gift my mom gave me.
I travelled with a few singing groups after college--around the country and overseas to Peru, Brazil, Chile and Columbia. Singing has taken me to every state but North Dakota; I don't think I'm missing much, but I know I'll get there some day. Just to say I did and maybe meet some cool people.
I met my husband in 1989 and we were married in December of the next year...he sings too, and that's how we met. I was in a Christian rock band, Komunique, and he joined us. I was actually verbally engaged to someone else at the time. I say "verbally engaged" because I didn't actually have the ring. Never call yourself engaged until you have the ring. Bad things can happen. My verbal fiance' was seeing someone else, and things didn't work out so well. But again, if you look hard enough, there are benefits. As a result, I ended up with the most amazing man...the first one that really loved me back.
Now we're in our eighteenth year of marriage and I'm looking forward to the next eighteen. One of the best benefits of our marriage is our son, Jake. He's a pretty cool dude. He makes life fun. (We just built a snowman tonight in the front yard of mom's house--in March! I love making memories like that, and hearing Jake say, "This is the BEST snow day of my life!!!").
So there are a lot of things that have happened in my life since I showed up on the planet back in the 60's, but the very best was that day at Vacation Bible School back in 1975 when I asked Jesus to come into my heart, forgive my sin and take control of my life. He did, and has walked with me ever since, through every situation good and bad. I haven't always made the best choices. (That's a blog for another day). But it doesn't matter to Him, he died for my bad choices and loves me no matter. I want to live my life for Him, every moment; there is no benefit in life that doesn't pale in comparison to knowing Jesus--there is no greater thing. I'm a selfish girl and need Him every day. I love Him with my whole heart, and will never stop being thankful that He saved me from myself all those years ago. I am unashamed to say that I am living my life in pursuit of Him.
There's some biographical information for what it's worth. Thanks for sticking around long enough to read it all. I always wonder what I have to say that is worth sticking around to read. Please let me know you were here and stuck around.
