“Growing up, there was a lot of chaos and turmoil in my home. I had two drug-addicted parents. And when I was 8, my mom started dealing drugs. People were coming and going. There were a lot of unsafe activities. There was alcohol. There was … Continue readingMagical life blooms after challenging start
“One of my duties at work was to create ID badges for all the employees. They had to be renewed on everyone’s birthday. When Juan came to see me, I made his ID and we flirted a little bit. “Afterward, I jokingly said to my … Continue readingShe’s suffered her share of tragic losses
“I was really young when I had my boys. I got pregnant at 12, and I was 15 when I had the second one. Basically, I was raising my babies while I was still a baby. I raised them while going to school. It was … Continue readingYoung mother proud of sons and herself
“It’s a 1966 Impala. My great-granddad, who lived in Waco at the time, drove to Dallas and bought it from Johnson Chevrolet at the end of 1965. He went up there to buy a Caprice, which was more of a luxury car. But when he … Continue readingFamily keeps Chevy Impala tradition going
“After everything is over, it really starts to sink in. Then everybody forgets about you. They forget that your baby died. And that’s when it’s really hard. People just kind of move on. Obviously, your loved ones care. But there’s this pain that’s just yours. … Continue readingFamily faced with life after son’s death
“About two years ago, I decided to go get my bachelor’s degree in special education. I thought it was a good match for me and where my heart is for these kids. But I wouldn’t have done it if not for my youngest son. “When … Continue readingSon inspires her to pursue college degree
“He’s 8 months old, and he never cries. He’s just happy all the time, smiling and playing around. “I’m lucky. Normally babies cry for everything, for no reason sometimes. The only time he cried is when he fell, because he’s starting to stand up now. … Continue readingFour sons keep mom busy and happy
“When I was 12 years old my daddy said to me and my two brothers, ‘Boys, you may never go to college. You may never even get out of high school. But by the time you walk out of this house, you’re going to have … Continue readingFather taught his three sons the value of hard work
“My husband thought he wanted us to have a baseball team until the twins came along. I guess reality hits at how challenging that can be sometimes. But then he was so happy when we found out that we were having one more. “Before all … Continue readingIt’s no baseball team, but three boys keep them busy
“I’m here with my son and grandson. We’re showing him how to catch crabs.” Do you have other children? “I have two others. One is deceased. I lost him in 2000 when he was 21. He got in a car with the wrong person. It … Continue readingSon’s death — ‘You just tolerate it and push on’