Sonya French:
CLASS OF 1984
Theodore High SchoolClass of 1984
Theodore, AL
Murphy High SchoolClass of 1984
Mobile, AL
St. Elmo Middle SchoolClass of 1980
St. elmo, AL
Nan Gray Davis Elementary SchoolClass of 1978
Theodore, AL
Westlawn Elementary SchoolClass of 1977
Mobile, AL
Sonya's Story
Life
Life is so good! I've been blessed with a treasure trove of happiness over the years beginning with my best friend Melvin in 1984 who later became my husband in 1986. God sent us two beautiful, and gifted children...Erin-22, and our son Stephen-15. I take nothing for granted in this life. God has promised us no tomorrows. I am just thrilled to have been put in the path of so many wonderful people along the way. I have lots of dear memories, and they go way back to Nan Gray, St. Elmo, and Westlawn Elementary! I so appreciate having been touched by so many lives. I pray for God to richly bless you, and lead us back to one another.
There are many precious friends I am still trying to make contact with. It could well be over 20 years since I last saw your faces, but I've not forgotten. I always hope for our paths to cross somewhere along the journey. We share a very special passage in time, and it warrants revisiting.
School
Being a student a THS was a great whirlwind of experience. Deep seeded friendships were begun. Old boyfriends have become good, old friends of today. I haven't forgotten any of the people I was so priviledged to have met. When I sit out on the porch swing at home, and I gaze up at the glorious sky, I always am drawn back to the faces and memories of high school, and the years prior. I still fondly look back to past teachers who played such an important role in the person I am today. Thanks for being so good to me. It's important that all of you out there know how significant you are in my life, even after all these years. It matters not that I never see you, or hear your voices...I have the memories which live on with permanence embedded forever in my thoughts, and prayers. I am happy to have known each of you. Friends do last forever when you let them.
College
A higher education is something I had longed for while I was still trying to find my way thru Theodore, and make the grade to get myself a nice Diploma...and hopefully, too, some prideful recognition from my zero tolerance parents! The diploma I managed. Parents, on the other hand, still remain to be a challenge even after all these years. I had aspired to be and achieve so many things. In an odd sort of twist I guess I have managed to accomplish more of what I dreamed of than I would have thought without the benefit of actually attending a structural home for the knowledge seeker. Life has opened many doors. The child psychologist I was interested in becoming was earned instead thru the gift of my wonderful children. They have further inspired and nurtured all of the other aspirations I dreamed about as a young person...and even the new ones I've entertained the idea of as an adult. My mind is always thinking, and wondering, and working on some detail, or idyllic scenerio of all sorts of things; some of them even can be pretty outlandish--But, I have no problem with any of it. I had a very limited childhood. I'm free now to be educated with or without the ...Expand for more
support of parents. Funny thing is...Being a student within the edifices of the University of Hard Knocks (UHK) is more schooling than I could ever attain within a structural environment with professors, and labs, and workshops. I am blessed to be the mother of children who understand the importance of all the benefits of getting a Degree...in whatever they choose to pursue. They are blessed, too, because they have parents who support, and love them unconditionally no matter what path they follow, or where the road leads.
UNCONDITIONALLY....That's a lot of word to swallow, and mean it. I wish my parents had this same apptitude for things when I was being raised. You notice that I said "raised" not "when I was growing up." Growing up will come later...or maybe never. Right now I'm having way too much enjoyment out of life just being me, Sonya; Someone I had to hide for far too many birthdays of my "growing up" years. It's good to look at myself in the mirror and say out loud, "I like me. You go Girl!"
Workplace
Upon leaving home, and moving away from the security of the only life I'd known in Theodore, and Mobile, getting a job fresh out of high school was pretty exhilarating. My B.O.E. teachers were correct in saying, "If for no other reason, you will have these skills to fall back on." Time and time again I have been able to utilize many of the basic fundamentals I learned. A good attitude can go a long way. I can appreciate the effort my teacher, Erin Miller, made at encouraging me to keep that smile on, and earn the respect of others.
In the job market, that alone is a gold mine of information! Now, 24 years later, I am finding my place again in this life. A new adventure began in July 2004 when I went into business for myself cleaning a few offices. That has now grown into several offices, and several homes. I've done no advertising on my own. Word of mouth has gone a long way, and I am just in awe of that in itself.
My oldest child is in her 3rd year of college pursuing a teaching career. She is also in the midst of planning a November wedding! My 15 year old son already knows he wants to pursue a mucic scholarship, and attend FSU when he graduates in 2012. He's a real brainiac, and plays 7 instruments! He just started his Freshman year at Escambia High School with all Honors classes, and performing in Jazz, and "The Pride" marching bands. Too Cool!! Wish I had his head when I was his age!
Marriage to Mel has been a never ending love story. I've been with him for over half my life, amazingingly. I've been with him since he was 16, and I was 18. How cool is that? Knowing God is in control, and allowing Him to freely have that power over all our lives is the key to every successful thing we've endured. It's been an amazing journey. I'll be 43 this year...and life could not be sweeter. We have yet so far to travel together. I look forward to every bend in the road, and every path we meander upon. The mystery awaits, ready to unfold...
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