The Beginning
Rick was born in Augsburg, Germany. I was 22 and stationed there in the Army. Little did I know how this little bundle of joy was going to change me & my life forever. Being so far away from home I was scared. Would I be able to take care of him properly. He made it so easy. He was a quiet little baby. I separated from the service in 1982. We came back to Iowa for a little bit. It was at this time some concern about his coordination came into play. As for me being a 1st time mom I thought all kids had a coordination problem. We then moved to Panama City, Florida. Rick loved the beaches. He was enjoyed playing in the water and trying to build sand castles. Things seemed fine for the time being. 1984, I separated from Rick's biological father, so Rick & I moved to Chesnee, SC. It was him & I against the world. I felt if I moved back home at that time I would lean to much on my parents and I needed to prove to Rick that I could take care of us both by myself. I was petrified inside but couldn't let him see that. We stayed with my cousin Jackie for awhile. I found a job and we got our own little apartment. Rick loved being in SC with his cousins, Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Ed. Papa as Rick called him. My Uncle was a big man that would scare some people but Rick found him gentle and he had a big heart & love for Rick. I remarried in 1986, and that began a journey of travels in military for Rick & I.