Angela

Angela is our oldest, she was the prettiest baby imaginable Her large blue eyes from her Daddy’s side of the family, spoke volumes. She had a gorgeous face and curls that danced when she toddled. We thought she was all that and she was. At nineteen months she became a big sister, and she took it seriously. Tracy, our second, became her “baby”. She adored her, loved hugging her. We could not prop her bottle though because Angela would confiscate it And lie under the crib drinking it with gusto, as she had recently been weaned. Angela was allergic to everything green, so she preferred inside to outside. She had weekly allergy shots when she was five; it broke my heart. She loved school until some big boys she could not identify ambushed her. It was the first time I let her walk by herself. I held her and sobbed. When she was seven she got a new baby Sister, Susie. She claimed her. Telling me one day “You don’t have any idea what this baby means to me.” She was an avid book reader, had a fantastic sense of humor and a terrific laugh. Constantly tried to please everyone, which was impossible. As a preteen she painted her room black and went “Goth” years before anyone else. I knew it was not a reflection on her soft heart and was unconcerned. At 16 she was hooked on romance novels, so I took her to a Romance Writers Conference. We had the best time; and she met her favorite romance writer, Helen Mittermeier, Helen Mittermeier was gracious and asked Angela what her favorite books were. Angela could name her heroines, heroes, and tell her the plot of her books. Helen asked her who her “second favorite author was”. Angela named someone, and Helen’s entire table of women writers burst out laughing. Angela’s second favorite author was Helen Mittermeier, using an alias. They were totally impressed. Angela went to college and became a designated driver on campus. No surprise; she always likes nurturing people. She joined the Air Force when she was in her twenties. I was stunned. My little powder puff joining the Air Force? What? She did great; to this day she is a federal employee. She is a GS16 which is high up. I have always been proud of my daughter, but my pride was bursting When she gave the eulogy at my mother’s funeral. No one could have done a better job. I am sure my mother was proud too.