Patricia Rakes:  

How do I hope old friends remember me? That I always had a ready smile and a friendly ear if it was needed.I have lived in alot of states, then I reconnected with my high school sweetheart. We got married then found out I couln"t carry a child to term. We adopted a newborn. She is very special, especially after my husband died in '97 at Christmas. We got thru it. Then we moved back to Tn. She had only been for visits. We had horses, cattle,dogs,cats,and even a pet ferret.I was diag. with MS in '82,my husband knew before we married that there was some kind of problem,I still am overly honest.Jordana moved back to N.W.Ar. last year. I now have only one pet a gray poodle named BEAR. I still love to travel,drive,walk ,fish ,and target practice,watch movies and play on my computer and am forever talking to my daughter. I always wanted to be a police officer when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a male thing idea. As it turns out, they were wrong.I became a security officer and a P.I. After my grandfather died.And a substitute teacher.Now I sit with elderly sick people I was also a CNA. The wildest and stupieiest thing in school got married and continued to go to school. My mother shes smart and saved money and remarried after my parents divorced. I hope they remember how much I loved to laugh and constantly on the go.And how much I enjoyed everyone.Just wish we could all meet again and soon. How many states have I lived in wow I'll need to count before my late husband and I were married 9 I think.My husband died and we were being harrassed,stolen from and I had a daughter to raise. So we moved back to Tn. I had family here at that time. Friends I'D like to seeDne of them is Al Cannon,we were friends,also all my poker pals in Sr. homeroom. I am an avid Vols fan, live on some property maybe own a little and get another horse.And be at a picnic and see alot of my old friends. Not getting to go to D.C. and be an aide to John Duncan Sr. Then not having a house full of kids.Also not getting to prof. drive a race car, or ride in a horse race.Going into remission with MS for 23yrs. And now I miss not having alot of property to roam around on and listen to all the wildlife sounds. And being a widow and not even dating. But its hard to explain about MS.So I just love the Lord,live,love,laugh, and dream, and try to find more work.With a 30 yr. background check its still hard but I am blessed in so many ways, I really can't complain. I know alot of people are out of work and I pray for them and all they have lost. I've been there 9/11. I know what it is to lose it all.But never give up. I did't and I am still kicking.There is always a way at least keep on trying. My daughter is wonderful she is adopted but you would never know it.She's a workaholic,she's only working part-time and is trying to go to college to work in criminal justice, if her grades and her loans hold out.I miss her so much.She is one of the most giving people I have been blessed to raise,or know.Also she had a great Godmother Lola McFall Corrier. I know some of you remember her she was a whiz in school she had it rough growing up but then after school was over she met and married a wonderful man, and had 3 boys. As for a teacher it would our principal Mr.Sargent one of my favorite memories was at the Sr. prom I so respected K.R. Sargent at the prom I got my nerve up and asked him if he would care to dance he accepted it was a waltz, I was so nervous but made it without stumbling over my own feet, I felt so honored, if...Expand for more