My Life as I Know It

My Life As I Know It

Nancy Cooley

PSY 202

Katherine Barnett

January 31, 2011

My Life As I Know It

I. What was your family like?

a. Middle child

b. Afraid of my father

c. Parents divorce

d. Mother paralyzed

e. Father not speaking to me

II. What things do you remember about your childhood?

a. Dance recitals

b. Sunday dinners at Grannies

c. White Gloves and Party manners class

d. Taking care of my family

III. What were you like as a teenager?

a. Cheerleader

b. Dancer

c. Friends

IV. What did you do after you left school?

a. Married

b. Children

c. Work

d. Trade School

e. Caretaker of my mother

My Life As I Know It

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on” Henry Ellis. (BrainyQuote.com) This quote holds true to my life because of all the things I have had to let go and all of the things I have had to hold tight. I was born on October 14, 1962. I have two brothers Wayne and David. Wayne is my oldest brother and David is my younger brother. My mother married my father at age 18 and soon after, the Martin family was created. My childhood would begin my role as a caretaker, which is and has always been my life as I know it.

I grew up fearing the wrath of my father. He was a good dad but very firm and harsh. When he said to dry it up, you better had quit crying immediately. One day I had asked my dad if I could go swimming with my best friend, Kimberly and it was going to cost $1.50 and my dad did not have it at the time so I got in trouble for asking and had to sit in the corner. I watched my dad spank my brothers and I didn't want any part of it. I was a good kid and tried to stay out of trouble.

Being the only girl in my family had its advantages and disadvantages. I enjoyed playing with my brothers but sometimes they were a little rough. I also would become another mother to my brothers, as my mother was always in and...