Oral History

I interviewed my mom. I look up to my mom in a lot of ways; she is the strongest woman I know. The questions I asked were random and for no particular reason, just ones that I thought to be interesting.

Whats the one thing you would have done differently as a mom?

Nothing, im perfect (laughs). There are some little things here and there that I feel like hey maybe I could have handled that differently, but overall I wish I would have been able to travel with my kids more. I would have loved for you guys to experience all the different ways of life, rather than just reading about them in books.

Why did you choose to be with my father?

I was drunk (laughs). Your dad grew on me. you know the story of how he used to come into my work and not even buy anything; just look around at the merchandise (and me). why do you think we call him "spacey" (laughs). your dad is a romantic, and me i wasnt really all about that, but he showed me what love is.

In what ways do you think I am like you? not like you?

Your a very strong person, like me, you come from a strong base. You like to be out and about just like me; and unfortunately you got my shopping habbit (laughs). I dont think that you worry as much like me; you have a very timid oura about you, which ill be honest, I wish I had when i was growing up.

Which one of us kids did you like the best?

Your sister, obviously (laughs). when I was younger, my brother and I would always tease my mom on how she loved my sister more. All of my kids have different qualitites about them that I love and some that I dont love; how could I pick one that is my favorite?

Whats the best thing I can do for you right now?

Take care of yourself. Finish school. Just try and be happy with what you have and the life you have. And never move out (laughs).

Is there anything you regret not having asked your parents?

yeah. I always wanted to know if your grandpa had something going on with Mrs. Hayza; they had a really close relationship. My sister thinks there was something going on, but who really knows; your grandpa loved grandma.

When did you realize you were no longer a child?

When you sister had Frank. I couldnt believe that my kid was having a kid. I knew it would happen eventually, but to actually experience it was something beyond words; and I thought to myself, wow im old, there is no way that im being called grandma (laughs).