[Kenna]

My oldest son's paternal grandparents...
for many reasons near and dear to my heart.
I would have NEVER got this far without them....I would have never known what it was like to be LOVED, RESPECTED AND HONORED by two of THE MOST AMAZING People ever, next to my Great Gramma.


Without them, I wouldn't have gained confidence or my fierce independence; my education; known what it was like to hear laughter in a family home; would have never known what it was like to have a REAL dad; learned assertiveness and self-worth from the woman who became my "other Momma"; early on - often times I wouldn't have had the money for food on the table or necessary health care for my son; I would never have been able to "climb REALLY HIGH on that corporate ladder" without their support; wouldn't have overcome some very serious barriers in my life without their understanding and guidance; would NEVER have survived an extremely abusive relationship, brutal rapes, many long hospital stays or the loss of my youngest son; I would never have learned to fight for what is right in my life; to break a cycle of dependency and co-dependency; NEVER known that I was "good enough to be loved" and smart enough to be educated; and never known what a Loving, real home felt like..... (I could go on all night)

Many times in the early years, "Dad" would even come to my work to get my old car, leave his fancy car for me to drive home and take mine to the shop... refusing for me to pay anything. He paid a couple thousand dollars to keep my old beast running. I could ALWAYS count on him to help me trouble shoot things and teach me how to do stuff that I would normally need to call a repair shop for.

I owe my life to Momma.... she was there every step, no matter how bad things got or what kind of crisis. She held me, cried with me and grieved with me - and probably more than I did- when my youngest son, who was no relation to her, passed away. She showed me that life didn't end that day....that she would stand by my side while I learned to and wanted to live again.

There are many times in my younger years that they literally saved me. The most amazing feeling to me is knowing the feeling of unconditional love they have for me and I for them, the bond we have and the REAL FAMILY we have become. I would have never known what Hope was. They are my Angels, my Heroes, my Teachers, my Guides and my Soul Parents.

I love them with all my heart....


Another Hero is Helen Keller.... for many personal reasons, for strength of overcoming tremendous barriers and her thirst for education and literacy.