Vivian McKenzie:
CLASS OF 1983
Greenup County High SchoolClass of 1983
Greenup, KY
Grant County High SchoolClass of 1983
Dry ridge, KY
Big Shot LiveClass of 1983
Hollywood, CA
Blazer High SchoolClass of 1982
Ashland, KY
Wurtland Elementary SchoolClass of 1979
Wurtland, KY
Vivian's Story
Life
I grew up in Wurtland and attended Greenup County High School. I graduated from another GCHS. I relocated to Northern Kentucky where I lived until February 1999.
I grew up feeling invisible and alone. My parents were both disabled. My Mom was an epileptic who suffered from grand mal seizures. She would often have 10 or more a day. My Dad had a genetic eye disease which eventually led to complete blindness. He also suffered from 2 different types of cancer over a 20+ year period.
Needless to say we were poor. I discovered very early that kids can be cruel. I was made fun of more than I care to remember. High school wasn't as bad as elementary. I seem to fit in a little more. I do think I've had the last laugh though. I may have not had the things my classmates had...got my first Barbie at the old age of 21...lol... I can look back on my youth and know that I had something wonderful. Something priceless...Love. My parents were the best. I grew up feeling loved and wanted. Mom and Dad taught us by example. I grew up with morals and values. I cherish my memories on Uhlen Branch with my family.
So, if you were one of the cruel ones... one who might have called me names and teased me...or one who simply ignored me because I was one of the "have nots"... my parents gave me more than love... they gave me the ability to forgive. Who knows, one day I might even be able to forget. Oh, and that cliché is true... if it doesn't kill you, it WILL make you stronger. I also think I am a better parent because of the pain and heartache I endured as a child.
My only regret is that I didn't form life long friendships like most people I know. I do have friends that I grew up with but we are more acquaintances than friends.
I am the last surviving member of my family. My parents oldest child, James Russell McKenzie died in infancy. On Oct. 3, 1983, my Mom, Cassie Riffe McKenzie passed away at the age of 42. My Dad, James Franklin McKenzie (Jim) passed away January 17, 2002. He was 80 years old. (Dad was 20 years older than Mom) On Saturday October 15, my brother John Edwin McKenzie died at the age of 43.
Losing my parents was very difficult. As we grow we learn to accept the fact we will outlive our parents.
Losing Mom shortly after graduation was a complete shock. I woke up on the morning of October 3rd and walked down the hallway of Mom and Dad's little house on Uhlen Branch. I found my Mother half on and half off of the couch. At first I thought she had a seizure and tried to wake her. It only took a moment to realize she would never wake again. I was blessed to have her for 18 years but never in those 18 years did I ever imagine losing her after such a short time with her. 18 years is just a blink compared to all of the living I've done in 43 years.
With Dad I was prepared. He was ill for a very long time. I held his hand as he took his last breath. He had suffered for too long. I had to let him go. He deserved to be in heaven with my Mom and his Father. He longed to be there.
I've never said my goodbyes... I know we will meet again.
Losing my brother John was devastating. After failed marriages and lost friendships I realized that John was that one "constant" in my life. (Other than my children of course.) He was the one person I could count on. The one person who was always going to be there. He was the one person I knew I would grow old with. My heart has never known loss like this. No lost loves could ever compare to the loss of my brother. I miss and long for him every day.
I am now one year older than my Mom was when she passed away and the age my brother was when he died. I never realized how young my Mom was until I reached 42.
Loneliness is never fully understood until you are the last one left standing. ...Expand for more
I never imagined I would be the last living member of my little family at the age of 40. As fate would have it, here I am... the matriarch of my family. Who would have thought??? I do have one question though.... what on earth were they thinking leaving me in charge??? (Every time I have that thought, I feel I can almost hear my Dad laugh. He loved a good joke!) Oh how I miss them!
The words of Joe E. Lewis, Comedian, often crosses my mind when I think of my family.... "You only live once-but if you work it right, once is enough." Although gone too soon they did do it right and left a wonderful impression on my heart and soul.
Let's see now.... The first true milestone in my life occurred after meeting and falling deeply in love with Kenny Phillips (attended GCHS until his sophomore year then transfered to Raceland where he graduated with his class of 1979) He and I have 2 beautiful children together, Laura Emily and Brandon Judd. That relationship was proof that love does end...lol
I was married to Jack Kinner for 15 years. We spent the majority of our marriage in Georgetown, Dry Ridge and Williamstown, Kentucky. We have 3 children. Jacob Allan, Cassie Elizabeth and Rodham McKenzie Kinner. Shortly after returning to Ashland in 1999 he and I divorced.
I have been a professional photographer for more than 20 years. (semi-retired) It's a profession I truly love. My favorite events to cover were weddings and births... new beginnings. I've recently been tempted to come out of retirement. Hmmm... still thinking about it.
I have had several businesses over the years. More out of a yearning for something to do with my time than necessity. I had a sports card shop in Richwood, Kentucky for several years. Brandon's Sports Connection. It developed out of a passion... collecting baseball cards. What better way to finance a hobby? One of the highlights came when our local paper did a story on me as a woman in the business world with a twist... card collector :) I closed up shop with the hobby "went cold". It was wonderful while it lasted. I still have an 1800 count box of cards under my bed that I pull out from time to time...
I had an antique boutique for a few years. there again, what better way to support a hobby? I still love my antiques but on a smaller scale...
My favorite "job" is being Mom. My children are a heart full not a hand full! I love being Mom. I never imagined parenting would be so rewarding. As a child I made a joke that I wanted 5 children. My friends, Sandy and Lotus were shocked...lol... I told them I wanted my own basketball team! Well, I got my team but the only games we play are Monopoly and Scrabble!
They are the greatest! I have 1 who has graduated. The other 4 are honor roll and high honor roll! Toot toot! Yes, that was my own horn! LOL I started teaching my children before they were born and by the grace of God they are everything and more than I ever hoped for. (More than I ever was) Although it wasn't diagnosed while in school, I was eventually diagnosed with a learning disability, ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder. I was determined that none of my children would have to struggle the way I had. As a result they have excelled. I am an extremely proud parent! My philosophy: Inspiration is the key to education and it's my job to inspire!
I am a grandmother... we have 3. Morgan Hope, Logan John, and Gavin Ray :)... I am happy that I have someone to call me Nonni. They are sunshine on a cloudy day.
We are a musical family. Picturing "The Sound of Music"? LOL Almost but not quite. Our music conservatory currently houses 4 electric guitars, 1 violin, 2 clarinets, 2 flutes, 1 trumpet, 3 tambourines, 2 harmonicas, 1 juice harp and 4 singers! Who needs a basketball team when you have all of that? LOL
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