Diane Fitzpatrick:  

RIDING MY BIKE UP THE HILL ON THIRD AVE (NOW UNIVERSITY DR.)TO SCHLOSSERS DRUGSTORE, NEAR GMI FOR A MILSHAKE/MALT,SITTING ON THE TALL STOOLS AT THE COUNTER AND PAYING ONLY 19 CENTS. PARKING CARS IN MY DRIVE-WAY FOR THE BIG THANKSGIVING DAY GAME AT ATWOOD STADIUM.(I LIVED ONLY 5 HOUSES AWAY)ON PROSPECT ST. STANDING AFTER SCHOOL, ON THE CORNER OF SEVENTH AVE. AND MASON ST, TALKING WITH MY FRIENDS UNTIL ALMOST DARK. SKATING AT BALLENGER PARK. DANCING IN THE CAGE SOPH. YEAR HOMECOMING. MY GRANDPARENTS LIVING ACROSS THE STREET FROM ST. AGNES CHURCH. THE A&W HOT DOG/ROOT BEER STAND ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE CITY JAIL DOWNTOWN, FLINT. MY FIRST TWO WHEEL BIKE THAT MY DAD BUILT ME. IT WAS A BOYS BIKE AND HE PAINTED IT BLUE. I DIDN'T CARE UNTIL I RAN IT INTO A TELEPHONE POLE ON FIFTH AVE. OUCH!! My first job was at MAAS, where I got paid MIN.WAGE to SELL ACCESSORIES ON THE MAIN FLOOR. What I remember most about it is MRS. PIERCE, MY BOSS.. THE WEIRDEST JOB I HAD WAS HELPING A FRIEND WHO HAD AN EXOTIC PET SHOP. I WOULD FILL IN AT THE REGISTER AND SELL MICE AND CRICKETS TO CUSTOMERS WITH SNAKES AND WHATEVER OTHER CRITTERS THEY FED THOSE TO. I MET MY OLDEST FRIEND AT AGE THREE IN HER SANDBOX. WE WERE AROUND THE CORNER NEIGHBORS THEN AND HAVE REMAINED IN TOUCH AND FRIENDS ALL OUR LIVES. AS A SINGLE PARENT I'VE LEARNED HOW TO PLAY...HOW TO BE FLEXIBLE AND TOUGH. MY HUSBAND DIED WHEN THEY WERE AGE 2 AND 7. MY CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN ARE MY MOST TREASURED, PRECIOUS ASSETS. I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM AND FEEL VERY BLESSED TO BE THEIR MOTHER. If I could improve my home, I'd remodel THE KITCHEN and add on a MASTER SUITE. My dream home would be ON THE LAKE AGAIN. MY PASSION IS LIVING LIFE THE BEST YOU CAN. TO TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE NOT SO GOOD AND WORKING THROUGH IT. ENJOYING WHAT LIFE HAS TO OFFER AND ACCEPTING IT AS IT UNFOLDS. I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT FAMILY. ABOUT THE FOUR SEASONS AND APPRECIATING ALL OF IT. I WATCH DANCING WITH STARS BECAUSE I LOVE TO BE ENTERTAINED. I LIKE GOING TO THE MOVIES, STAGE PERFORMANCES, ESPECIALLY MUSI...Expand for more