Patty Strickland:  

Well, what a life I have had. Although I would like to change a few things, most of it has been great. The Larry Strickland that I dated my senior year, I married in February 1972. He was in the Navy, so I got to live in Key West for about 6 months. It was great, no family, like a 6 month honeymoon. Came home pregnant with Kristi, so I moved back in with my parents. Larry's ship had to go to Pascagoula for a while. He got out in March 1973 and worked at odd jobs, until November 1974, he went to work at St. Marks Powder, or Olin. He is still there. I went to work with DOT so we could afford our own place. In September 1976 we had another daughter, Tracy. I am so glad I had my girls when I was young. We are all like sisters now and I really can enjoy the grandchildren. In March 1979 we bought our house, unfinished, with 5 acres and moved in. It took us a while to get it like we wanted it, but 30 years later, we are still here. We love it out in the woods. We are near the Natural Bridge State Park out of Woodville. November 1977 - my father, Angus Shirah, who taught at Godby died of renal cancer. That was a tremendous loss to me. He was 59 and I was 24. My father was a great inspiration to me and such a Christian man. I helped my mother through this difficult time since I was the only child living in Tallahassee. We became much cloer and I realize now what a daughter really means to a Mother. In 1988 she had 3 heart bypasses and a valve replacement. In 1994 we had to move her from town to come live with us. In 1996, I had to put her in a nursing home in Quincy and watch her lose her touch with real life. She had alzheimer's and didn't know who I was anymore. We had many conversations, but most of them made no sense. Mother died on December 8, 1998 with complications from a stroke. Losing my mother was the hardest thing I had ever been through in my life. If it had not been for Larry, Kristi and Tracy, I don't know what I would have done. That was when I decided I needed to go back to church and that was one of the best decisions I ever made. In 1995, we bought 6 1/2 acres across Old Plank Road on the St. Marks River. It is a great getaway for fishing, family get-togethers and camping. Also in June of 1995, we got our 1st grandchild - Courtney Lynn Platt, born to Kristi and her 1st husband. In 1999 - we got the 2nd grandchild - Stephan Thomas Platt. Kristi works at Child Support Enforcement at the Department of Revenue. So if any of you are deadbeat parents, she will find you. What a joy they have been to us all. In 2002, we bought the Harley-Davidson, 1200 Sportster, Blue and Pearl White. We have had some great rides to many places we haven't been, just around this area. It is a great way to air out your problems. August 2006 - I was diagnosed with Scleroderma and Raynaud's. It was a shocking discovery since there is no cure for it. I did a lot of research, saw doctors at Shands and eventually ended up with a wonderful doctor in Thomasville...Expand for more