The document summarizes the author's childhood family and the important people who supported her growth. It describes her parents who taught her to love openly and respect others. It discusses her siblings who looked out for her, though they did not always play with her as a child. It also highlights her grandparents who showed unconditional love and hosted large family gatherings. Finally, it mentions her cousin and mentor who provided lifelong friendship and support through both good and difficult times.

1. Click on the adorable baby sitting on her Grandpa’s lap to continue.
My Childhood Web
Randleman
Laura

2. I enter the picture
MUCH later!
The Stratton Clan
O As a child, family was a Everyone smile so we
can eat before lunch
way of life. Even gets cold!
though we lived 100
Why am I
miles away, my parents out of
made sure that we focus?
gathered with relatives
on a regular basis. This
is only a portion of the
individuals who
supported me though
Why do I
out my early years always have
and, more to be in front?
importantly, still do in
one regard or another.
Click on any of the more thoughtful people to learn more about their impact on my life
Or the ceiling light to return to the introduction slide.

3. My Parents:
O I was very young when
my parents married, but
the only thing that made
us a “step” family was that
my brothers didn’t live with
us all the time. My parents
worked as a team – never
allowing me to play one
against the other and
always creating a united Shirley Stratton
front. My parents taught Oliver: Mother
me to love openly and to
respect others. My mother
and I shared more
“domestic”, creative
activities and my dad
taught me the more Bill Oliver: step father
practical skills of banking actually, but he was Daddy to
and car maintenance. me and typically the one behind
the camera!
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4. O
(Some of) My Siblings
My siblings and I were
not as close during
childhood as we are
today, simply because I
was the youngest of the
six by 5 years. And
even though, our
families were blended, I
never think of my
brothers as “steps”. My
brothers and sisters
didn’t always “play” with Goeff: Youngest (step)
me, but they always brother of three
looked out for me and
protected me.(Ok, there
was the one time that
Kay and Geoff hung all
of my dolls from the
ceiling while I was
asleep: but I am over Kay: Older sister
that now!) As an adult, it
is wonderful to relate as (bottom right)
peers and build on the
strengths of our Dianna:
childhood that often
comes from shared Oldest sister
experiences. (top right)
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5. My Grandparents
O There was never any
doubt that Mommie and
Daddy Jim loved me
unconditionally. There was
always candy in the candy
dish, pajamas under the James & Irene Stratton:
Christmas tree and an “Daddy Jim” & “Mommie”
abundance of
hugs, smiles (even though
they are missing in this
photo) and experiences to
share year after year. For
me, the tradition of large
family gatherings initiated
with them and there was
never a lack of food or fun
at their house when we all
got together!
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6. My Cousin
O I’m not sure why but even
though Donna is actually
older than my sisters, she
and I have always shared
a special connection.
Perhaps because we are
the only “blondes” in our
immediate families! Donna
has always been available
for me as a confidant and Donna Stratton Wallace:
supporter. I have been Cousin
able to lean on her
through some pretty rough
times and whenever we
have the chance to spend
time together the time and
miles between us just melt
away.
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7. My Mentor
O Ilene was the only teacher I have ever had who
became a life long friend - almost instantly. She
took me under her wing freshman year of high
school, investing her time and energy into my
love for Home Economics (now FACS) reinforcing
Ilene Beggs: the skills and attitudes that I received from my
Home Economic mother. During my secondary years, Ilene led me
Teacher/Friend to Christ, took me to teachers’ conferences, and
assisted me on the road to education as a
profession. Over the years she has walked with
me through good times and bad; never
judging, always loving and always providing
support for me and my family.
O I feel particularly blessed by her and know that as
an educator she took time to get to know each of
Click on me (the tall one) to get back to the home page. her students and work with them where ever they
were, but there were only a hand full of us who
were lucky enough to develop this kind of bond
throughout her career.