Happy Birthday - Krista

July 24th - Saturday - Krista's Birthday

My youngest daughter turns 40 years old today. She was one of my greatest joy as a mother, as I was able to stay home with her when she was born. The older two children were in school when she was born and that allowed Krista and I the whole day to ourselves. Each day brought a new adventure for us, as she was a bright, pretty and happy little girl that loved everyone she came in contact with. This all continued for the first two years of her life and at that time, her father filed for divorce and at that time our lives changed. I needed to find a place to live and employment that would support myself and three children.

Thankfully, all of us were very close and had learned to be very independent. Susie at that time was eight years old and she was the best baby sitter I could find. She truly loved Krista and knew what would make her happy, even Scott found he liked to play dollies with the girls and the girls found that they loved playing with Hot Wheels. We found a cute apartment within walking distance to school, work and the grocery. We were settling in and finding a new life.

It wasn't long after we were settled in our new home that Al came into our lives and Krista found a new Daddy and a bond was formed that never failed. Isn't it wonderful how God has a plan for all of us that is for the betterment of us.

Krista being the last child was quick to make friends by herself and wasn't afraid to tackle something new and different. She might wake up and have butterflies in her stomach knowing she was going to do something different, she didn't let it stop her, she continued with the plan and made the best of it. She went to many different camps, had swimming lessons, took ballet lessons, joined Brownies, went to day camp, along with church and Sunday School.

We moved to Pennsylvania when she was ten years old and there she found another special friend, and that was her Grandpa Goodwin. His birthday was the day after hers, Krista and her Grandpa celebrated their birthdays together each year. Note the pictures above. The picture of Krista and her Grandpa at the kitchen table was Daddy's 75th birthday and Krista was seven. We celebrated that birthday by all of the family going to the Woodshed for dinner, and what a good time we all had together.

Krista was the perfect teenager, never disobedient, was active in church and her youth group and even worked with other children in Child Evangelism summer camp. The only time I can remember Krista becoming upset with her father and me was after we moved to Pennsylvania, and it was time for the Christmas tree to be set up. I came up with the idea of getting a large live limb and attaching it to the ceiling and decorating it. Al thought that was a good idea also, so off we set to find the perfect evergreen limb. Krista came home from school and found the limb attached to our ceiling and was she ever upset???? She packed her little suitcase and out the door she went. It wasn't long until Aunt Joanne called and told us Krista was there and did we want her to give her dinner and then send her home. Kris returned home before dark and found the limb all decorated and decided she rather liked it and shared the news of her special limb with her friends at school.

Kris graduated from high school and was married, had some problems; however, Al and I did not give up on her, and felt that she would remember what she had been taught as a child and would return to the family as before. Our family stepped in and helped care for her new baby, Michelle as Krista got her life straightened out. God did return Krista to the family and when Al had his accident she stepped up to the job at hand and proved to us that she could and would be able to care for her then school age daughter.

Krista got an apartment by herself and proved to herself that she was a worthy person and could take care of herself and would also be responsible for her daughter, that she had just been given custody of.

She shared with Al and myself how much she appreciated our love and the fact that we did not give up on her and she proved that many times over as Al neared the end of his life here on earth. She took a leave of absence from her job and took care of Al during the day while I worked. She would come to the house anytime I called when I needed help with anything. Once again God was faithful to provide for all of us at the time of our need.

This past year she has come through her diagnosis of cancer, taken all of her radiation and chemo and is awaiting the doctor to give her "a return to work slip". She is ready to begin to live life to the fullest once again. She has retained her faith and have learned many of life's lessons the hard way. She is busy getting her daughter ready to set off to college in August.

She is a daughter that we can be proud of and know that she is next door and willing to do whatever she needs to do for Lou, Estee and myself whenever we ask for help. She has told Lou that after her Daddy died she prayed for God to give her Daddy back to her and He did the next best thing, He sent Lou to all of us.

Happy Birthday Kris, we love you.