Child of the Storm

Did you that, according to :
http://www.civilwar150.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx, West Virginia is the only state formed as a result of the Civil War -- a “Child of the Storm” that was a reflection of the struggle that the Republic was going through. © 2011 State of West Virginia

Child of the storm. Re-read that. How does it relate to you?
Life is full of struggles and wars. Am I not a reflection of struggles that I have overcome? The result of wars that have been won and loss in my life?
I think back to what I know, or remember about my grandparents. I remember the way my great grandmother, who raised my mom, didn't really seem to like me very much. She didn't seem to like many people. She had a high social life and expected my brother and me to be in line with her expectations. I had a very, very bad speech impediment. I couldn't even say my name well. I remember being at her church trying to tell someone my name and they didn't understand me, I was very frustrated. I feel my grandma was very unhappy about it. I remember her being angry, not yelling at me, but it was my fault, somehow she made sure I knew that, there were never any excuses. 

Thirteen years I went to speech therapy. When I left South Carolina moveing to Maryland I learned to say 'you guys' instead of 'ya'll'.  I even tried to leave behind the 'southern talk'. I was that aware of the impact speech could have on me in life. I was never 'uncool' in school or teased or anything like that. I think more people notice it now then they did then, but I noticed it. My best friend from high school would, even up till just a few years ago, say to me, "say 'The lion roared as he went to war'".  She was not being cruel, just teasing and having fun, I always obliged. I move to Nevada calling an iron an iran. That is how I said it. Again, the same friend, Brandi, would make fun. I laughed with her. If you can't laugh at things like that, is your other choice but to cry?  My dad's mother always wanted me to be able to say purple. I can today, with effort. The letter r became the last sound to conquer. It is a war I have not yet completely won. I can say most words if I think about it and concentrate. For and fur, war and were, things like that are hard. By the way, get a couple beers in me and you will know I am from the south, lol.  The point here is to show a life long struggle that is so small, it can go completely unnoticed to most, but mean the world to the one who struggles with it.

I wish we could all say once upon a time and end with happily ever after. What would life be like without the story in between? The first time you smell honeysuckle? Your first kiss? First time someone laughs at your joke? When you realize that there is nothing better than to put a Reese's mini in your mouth and let it melt, sucking out the peanut butter, pressing the left over chocolate against the roof of your mouth before you let it melt down the back of your throat swallowing the yummy goodness! Okay, so maybe that's just me, lol.

Ending this...
I call South Carolina home, however, I have lived many other places. I was born in West Virginia. Yes, you read that correctly. Therefore, although I am not the only 'state formed' as a result of a war, I am the one giving you the story.
I am a result of the wars I have faught. I am a reflection of the struggles throughout my life. I am a 'Child of the Storm'.

http://www.hersheys.com/reeses.aspx

To begin with..

Why a blog? #1 my psychiatrist said when I get upset, stop and write for 20 minutes. That is to stop my mouth from getting me in trouble, lol! #2 I used to love to write, it runs in the family. I plan on sharing some of my poetry here! Granted some of it is from elementary school, some from high school, I'll let you know! P.S. I have been out of high school for, 17 years(?).

My passion is photography, that is how I turned my story telling into knowing what is factual. I will do some writing here that some may not like. There may be some of my current friends, old friends, family, enemies, acquaintances, or those I don't even remember that may gawk or read with shock or astonishment.

I always say I have a terrible memory. Do I? When I look at old photos, I remember that event, but only that of those photographs I see. re:went to Disney in 1987ish, I remember maybe 2 events that are not of photos I have. I ask 'Do I?' because I can start at the earliest memory and move forward sometimes with total detail. Is what I remember real or not? Have I misinterpret the memories? Have I altered them in such a way that the only truth to me is the story I tell today, or don't tell people in some cases. If I altered the story, why?

There are stories I know are factual, inside and out. You may ask how? I really don't have any good answer for that. I think that sentence should read: There are stories I feel are absolutely factual.

So, begins: The journey of my life, as I know it!