APRIL PATTON:
CLASS OF 1994
Findlay High SchoolClass of 1994
Findlay, OH
Millstream South Vocational SchoolClass of 1994
Findlay, OH
Donnell Junior High SchoolClass of 1991
Findlay, OH
Benjamin Franklin Elementary SchoolClass of 1988
Findlay, OH
Franklin Elementary SchoolClass of 1980
Delphos, OH
APRIL's Story
Since graduating from F.H.S in 1994 I volunteered as a non-paid kindergarten teacher's aide from September 1995 to June 2003 here in my hometown of Delphos, where I've always lived. I helped out the teacher by running things to the office, sorted things that the kids had to take home, I watched over them while doing programs on the computer, playing games & lots of other activities in the classroom. The kids that I helped with always called me "Miss April", the teacher I first started helping & I thought that since I was just a volunteer aide that it would be a lot easier for them to remember a first name rather than a last name. I think that the reason that the kids loved me was because I was right down at their eye level. Some cool things about the kids that I've gotten to help with is that I've gotten the chance to watch them graduate high school & go off to college, grow up into adults, get married & start their own families & careers. Some of those kids I'm actually friends with on Facebook. The other really cool thing is that the teacher that I started helping out with I actually had as my first kindergarten teacher, before I was transferred to the O.H. class at F.C.S - Benjamin Franklin Elementary.
Now a little bit about me that you probably didn't know, I've got 2 older stepsiblings a brother & a sister, but we're not at all close anymore! Then I've also got 3 half-siblings that I feel that I'm very close to, a big brother who's a former U.S. Marine & who served in Desert Storm & a little brother who's the same age as me (we were born just a month apart from each other) & a little sister who's a year younger than me. What's really crazy about my little sister & I is that we kind of look somewhat alike! I met my little brother & sister just a week apart from each other. When we met I found out from her that our big brother who at the time didn't even know that I was even his other little sister at the time. I became in contact with all my half siblings around 2002-2003. My half siblings & I all live within about 20-30 minutes or so from each other so we don't have to go that far to get together. Between both my step & half-siblings they've all made me an aunt, (7 nieces & 7 nephews, one of which is also my godson). My big half brother's first child unfortunately passed away right after she was born. I've still got 2 nephews & 2 nieces to meet yet. My step-siblings kids used to call me "Aunt Apple" when they were really little because they couldn't really say my name that well so that nickname for them just kind of stuck with me & no matter how old they are I'd still let them call me that too. My half-siblings kids just call me Aunt April. I must say that I absolutely love being aunt to all of them too.
I LOVE Country music! I've gone to quite a few concerts & have actually gotten the chance to meet quite a few musicians too. The ones I've met are: Lee Greenwood (who I've met 3 or 4 times I can't remember) - Emerson Drive - The Wilkinsons - Tammy Cochran - Trace Adkins - Kellie Pickler - Phil Vassar - Wynonna Judd - Diamond Rio - Lonestar - Craig Wayne Boyd (Season 7 winner of NBC's The Voice) & Colton Dixon (Season 10 & 11 of American Idol). The musicians & bands that I've listed I was actually lucky enough to get the chance to meet with either my mom or my best friend Brittany, who's an R.N. friend of mine from my hometown who helps me with things that I'm unable to do myself when my mom is away.
Besides my family, my friends mean the absolute world to me especially the ones from school because, they saw past my disability & wheelchair & accepted me for who I was as a person. If one of my friends ever saw that I needed a little help whether it be opening a door, moving a chair/something else out of my way, helping me get up a ramp that I was having trouble getting up or saw that I was upset, (I'm one that can get upset really easy & I can also really take things to heart too.) There's actually only been a few friends that have actually seen me get upset. No matter what I needed help with all of those special friends were "ALWAYS" there for me & lent me a helping hand when I really needed it. I must say that I'm extremely lucky that all of those friends were in my life then & that they're still in my life today. I hope that the friends that I've totally lost contact with know that if they ever need a friend I will still "ALWAYS" be there for them too. I think pretty much all of my friends from F.H.S that I hung around with know that I've got a very big & a very caring heart & I really don't like to see any of my friends hurting or upset, which I've seen only one classmate/friend get really upset & I must say that I'm really glad that I was able to be there to help that friend calm down (that friend I think knows who they are too) & believe me I'd definitely do it again if I had to. If I left that friend believe me, I'd end up worrying about them the rest of the day which I honestly did worry about them after I had left them. I honestly don't think that I'd be very much of a friend to anyone if I didn't care about them, but I really do care alot about my friends! Believe me when I say that I'm definitely not someone who's fake & I definitely don't like to argue/fight, because in reality arguing & fighting solves absolutely nothing & it just makes matters worse & can make friendships/relationships break apart.
If I couldn't be there physically for one of my friends & they really needed someone to talk to they know they could always call me, but if they didn't have my home/cell number then they could always email me but if they didn't have my email address then they could just look me up on FB & send me a direct message on there. If we haven't seen each other or talked in ages or aren't friends on FB & you send me a direct message trust me, I'll definitely respond to your message! If you want my email/snail mail address or home number (Which we're eventually going to be getting rid of once I get a cell phone of my own) just send me a FB direct private message & I'll be more than happy to give you my contact info! Our landline I sometimes I can't really get to fast enough to answer it since it only rings 3 - 4 times then goes directly to voicemail which then says that the mailbox is full (Gotta love having an old landline in a house that was built in 1922) When I do get my cell phone & know exactly what I'm doing calling my cell phone would probably be alot easier to get ahold of me directly, but for the time being FB, email or snail mail or my home landline number will have to do. And just so everyone knows I don't really do the texting thing because I actually physically like hearing the other persons voice on the phone. If you ever do happen to call my cell & my phone is off or in charging mode, just leave me a message & I'll call you back as soon as I can. I will honestly admit that I'm really not a fan of answering machines call me crazy I know. I always feel like I'm having to rush to talk when I talk on them. My grandma who helped my mom raise me & who I miss like crazy wasn't a fan of them either, so I think I get that crazy trait from her!
Since I actually don't live in the same city that I went to school with my friends or drive myself, I have to rely on either my mom or someone else to take me to the places that I want/need to go to. So when I'm able to reconnect with any of my friends from when I went to Ben Franklin, Donnell, Millstream & F.H.S. I'm an extremely happy person when I can get together with my friends, since I really don't get to see or talk to those friends as often as I would like to. The only time that I'm really able to personally see my friends from school is when I can come to Findlay when I'm in town at the mall for the day (which really isn't that often), when there's a classmate/school event happening or when there's a class reunion (so far I've only missed one reunion). Some of those friends that I knew in school, I actually haven't seen or talked to in almost 20-30 years & I'm sure that they all know who they are too!
Since graduating from high school I've actually had 4 classmates come to my house (3 guy friends & one girl friend) & surprise me by coming to visit without me even knowing that they were coming, such sweet yet very sneaky friends that I have. One of those friends (Gavin) even called my house & asked talk to my mom to let her know that he & our other classmate Laura were coming. You definitely know that something's up when your mom starts to straighten up your bedroom a bit for you, LOL! What's really funny is when he called I was the one that answered the phone & I didn't even recognize his voice. The other two guy friends that came I really wasn't expecting to pay me a visit either. Those are just a couple of the very special friends from F.H.S. that I've lost contact with & that I really do miss a lot too.
Please know that my door is always open to my friends from school, just make sure to either email, send me a Facebook DM or call me in advance before coming over to make sure that I'll be home & to also make sure that I don't have any other plans made. I would really hate it if a friend drove all the way to my house & I wasn't even home.
This may sound a little strange to say but I've always thought of my friends that I hung arou...Expand for more
nd with or that helped me in high school were like extra siblings that I never had, my girlfriends were like sisters & then my guy friends were like the brothers I never had. In a way I think classmates are kind of like extra siblings because we got to see them during the school week or if we made plans to get together outside of school.
Some random quotes & some quotes about Friends/Friendship that I like
"I have a Disability yes that’s true, but all that really means is I may have to take a slightly different path than you."*" The disability is not the problem. The accessibility is the problem "*" There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more. "*" We need to make every single thing accessible to every single person with a disability "*" Think of others before you think of yourself "*" The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. "*" The phone & communication works both ways "*" If you can't remember something write it down"
"FRIENDSHIP isn't about who you've known the longest. It's about who walked into your life, said I'm here & proved it "*" Friendships are maintained & kept healthy by being loyal. Being there when your friend needs you is the best thing you can do for them. "*" Friendships are fragile things & require as much care in handling as any other fragile & precious thing. "*" The gift of friendship, a willingness to listen, a pair of helping hands, a whisper from the heart. That someone cares & understands. "*" The gifts of caring, attention, affection, appreciation & love are some of the most precious gifts you can give, & they don't cost you anything. "*" One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand & to be understood "*" Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words. "*" Friendship means Understanding, not agreement. It means the memories last, even if contact is lost. "*" If someone makes a difference in your life, Tell Them. If someone has been there for you, Show Them. If someone who matters to you is hurting, Show Up. "*" The greatest healing therapy is friendship & love. "*" Let us be grateful to people who make us happy "*" No friendship is an accident. "*" Friendship is built on two things. Respect & Trust. Both elements have to be there & it has to be mutual. You can have respect for someone, but if you don't have trust, the friendship will crumble."*" Friendship is a gift forever; cherish everyday, forget it never. "*" Friendship is the best thing that comes to life. Friends will always be there for you. Don't worry about the fakes. Worry about the people who had your back from the start & never treated you wrong. Always remember they are your real friends. Don't ever take them for granted because one day you're going to lose a good friend by the way your actions are. When you see a good friend, stick to that person. "*" The best things in life are free. And it is important never to lose sight of that. So look around you. Wherever you see friendship, loyalty, laughter & love there is your treasure."
"A FRIEND is more than a therapist or a confessor, even though a friend can sometimes heal us & offer us God's forgiveness. A Friend is that other person with whom we can share our solitude, our silence, & our prayer. "*" A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more. "*" A Friend is a hand that is always holding yours, no matter how close or far apart you may be. A Friend is someone who is always there & will always, always care. A Friend is a feeling of forever in the heart. "*" Being there for a friend is one of the greatest gifts you can give, another one is allowing them to be there for you too ."*" A Friend who understands your tears is much more valuable than a lot of friends who only know your Smile "*" A Friend is someone who will always be there for you, in good & hard times. "*" When you need someone to comfort you, a friend is near. "*" A Friend who won't disappear when you're facing problems is a friend for lifetime, never ever let them go. "*" A Friend gives hope when life is low, A friend is a place when you have nowhere to go, A Friend is honest, A Friend is true, A Friend is precious, A Friend is you. "*" Seek the friend who's hand helped you & tell them what they mean to you."*" A friend is what the heart needs all the time. "*" A Friend's Promise - If you need to talk, I'll listen. If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'll hold you. If you feel lost, I'll help guide you. If you need to be angry, I'll let you. If you're feeling afraid, I'll comfort you. If you need to be happy, I’ll be your smile. If you want a hug, I’ll be your pillow. If you're feeling attacked, I'll be your defense. If you're feeling unsure, I'll be your confidence. If you're feeling alone, I'll be the friend who'll be your shadow & won't leave you. If you need to learn to trust again, I'll prove to you that you can. But anytime that you need a friend, I’ll just be me."
"GOOD FRIENDS are like stars, You don't always see them but you know they are there. "*" Good Friends Care for each other Close Friends understand each other, But True Friends Stay Forever.. Beyond words, Beyond distance, Beyond time! "*" Ultimately, the only way to make good friends is to become a good friend yourself. Good people gather around other good people. "*" If you have good friends, no matter how much life is sucking, they can make you laugh. "*" Good Friends are hard to find & impossible to forget. "*" Good friends are good for your health "*" A Good Friend is like a four leaf clover; Hard to find & very lucky to have"
"CLOSE FRIENDS are truly life's treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone. "*" Close Friends support each other in stressful times and help each other to look beyond their own needs & become sensitive to others."
"A REAL FRIEND is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out "*" A Real Friend is one who is honest, humble, loyal, helpful, caring & loving. "*" Real Friends the kind that don't purposely hurt your feelings or stop liking you for no reason "*" Real Friends require honesty, openness, & even vulnerability. They also require attention & simple acts of kindness. "*" Real Friends are always going to be there by your side, even if you push them away, people who truly love you will always choose to stay. "*" Real Friends love you like their family & stand right by your side forever, no matter what."
"A BEST FRIEND isn't someone who's just always there for you. It's someone who understand you a bit more than you understand yourself. "*" Best friends are those rare people who actually care about what you're going through."*" Best friends are the people who make your problems their problems just so you don't have to go through them alone "*" When it hurts to look back and you’re afraid to look ahead, you can look beside you and your best friend will be there. "*" A best friend is someone who makes you laugh even when you think you’ll never smile again. "*" A best friend is someone who's there for you, no matter what. Thick or thin. I can label anyone as a friend. But a best friend? That's something that needs to be earned. A best friend knows me sometimes better than I know myself. Best friends share tears & laughs. You can trust them with anything & everything. I have a bunch of friends, but only a few that I can count on completely. "*" Sometimes being with your best friend is all the therapy you need. "*" Sometimes we don't need advice, we just need somebody to listen."
"F*R*I*E*N*D*S.- Fight for you - Respect you - Include you - Encourage you - Need you - Deserve you - Stand by you. Friends will always compliment your personality & encourage you to be yourself. "*" Friends, genuine friends, are attracted by a warm heart, not money, not power. A genuine friend considers you as just another human being, as a brother or sister, and shows affection on that level, regardless of whether you are rich or poor, or in a high position; that is a genuine friend. "*" Friends are relatives you make for yourself. "*" Friends are the siblings God never gave us. "*" Faithful friends are gifts from heaven: Whoever finds one has found a treasure. "*" Friends who accept you for who you are the ones who you should hold close. Not the ones who try to change you into someone you're not. "*" Friends are the most important part of your life. Treasure the tears, treasure the laughter, but most importantly, treasure the memories. "*" Friends are important, because they're there when no one else is. "*" Friends are connected heart to heart distance & time can’t break them apart."*" Friends are the angels that lift us up when our wings forget how to fly "*" Friends will always be there to help you. It may not be the advice they give but it is the support given that really counts "*" A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself. "*" Friends come & go so does a best friend, but best friends will always find their way back "*" Life is not easy & it will never be, but you've got friends, & one of them is me."
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