Doris Jean - part 4

This picture was taken when I was around 16. We were at my Aunt Linda's house in Virginia. My hair is being brought to you by a teal pick and about half of a can of Aqua Net hairspray, the dress was from the Limited, and the white tights and shoes - I have NO IDEA!!  This was before things were about to get CRAZY! 

So much of what happens next is such a blur.  I am unsure if it was because it was so painful or so many years ago.  It wasn't long after Doris Jean got home from the hospital that my dad moved out.  My mom was devastated and completely heartbroken.  My dad didn't visit my mom in the hospital but the woman he was dating did and brought her a plant.  Friends, that takes BALLS! 

Doris Jean's health progressively got worse. I believe she was utterly heartbroken and it was so hard for her to have that fighting spirit she always had. Remember the land my dad bought and cleared out? There was about an acre to the right of the main property. My brother bought a trailer and he and his wife, son, and daughter lived there.  I loved having them so close. 

My dad told my brother that he would have to move the trailer off of the land. Any guesses why?  I couldn't have guessed it either.. He bought a trailer and moved onto that lot right next to my mom and me.  Every single time we would leave our house we would see their trailer.  On nice days they would be sitting on the little deck they had out front.  It was horrible! It crushed my mom.  My mom eventually moved out and went to live with my brother and his family.  My dad sold the trailer on the one-acre lot and moved into our double-wide on the permanent foundation.  I lived there for a little bit with them but couldn't stand it so I went to live with a friend of the family for a short time.

I don't know how I passed my senior year.  It was so stressful, mom was sick, and all of that stuff was going on with my dad. I remember graduation day, my dad called me and said he didn't feel comfortable coming to my graduation with my mom and other family members there.  He ended up meeting me at an Elementary School nearby with his girlfriend prior to graduation to give me a sterling silver vase with $100 bills wrapped up like roses inside. I was so very sad. The entire time he was talking to me I had the biggest lump in my throat and I kept telling myself, don't you dare cry, keep it together. He brought all of this on our family and he was uncomfortable to watch his daughter graduate, Really?

I remember sitting in my chair out on the field on graduation day and looking over at my mom in a wheelchair.  She was beaming with pride.  I can still see her sitting there and it brings tears to my eyes.  My mom was such a good, sweet human.  She was angry that my dad moved next to us, hurt that he was with their friend but it wasn't too long after that she said she forgave him.  That she would pray for him. That blew my mind because he had hurt us so much. The last thing I wanted to do was pray for them. GEES! 

I met my husband of 30-plus years in 10th grade in English class.  I am so thankful we had each other because both of our family lives were not the best at that time.  I was 15 when we started dating and 19 when we got married. 

He joined the Navy and got stationed in Alameda California.  One thing I remember vividly is the day I had to leave Doris Jean.  I knelt down to talk with her and say my goodbyes while she sat in her wheelchair.  We had a Uhaul packed with minimal items.  We were making the drive from Delaware to California.  Looking into her eyes I knew to my core that this would be the very last time I would ever see her. I sobbed and held her and told her I didn't want to leave her.  She said honey your place now is with your husband.  I will be ok but it is time for you to go and live your life.  You have to go be with your husband, I won't hear of anything else.  I cried through at least the first 4 states on our trip to California. My heart was broken and I knew that was the last time I would see her alive. I was right.