I have enjoyed reading all of the great biographies sent in by our classmates. So many wonderful accomplishments in each of your lives. Some very sad and tragic events, others, amazing and uplifting. Like myself, most of us seem to have been very blessed in our lives. I have had a very happy and wonderful life these past 40 years. Wow, has it really been that long?? Where did all that time go? Let me see now, how can I answer that in just a few short paragraphs.
I enrolled at Manpower Business School in downtown Houston and received my training in computers. I learned to keypunch on the old antique computers which used hole punch cards as programs. My first job was at an insurance company in the old Hermann Park area. I met my future husband, Rene' Mathison, through a friend who worked there too. We were married on March 18, 1966, and just celebrated our 36th anniversary.
We were blessed with three wonderful children. They have, of course, been the joy of our lives. I can't imagine life without them.
Our first son, Keith, was born July 6, 1967. He was born early and gave us a scare but came thru with flying colors. He is our bookworm. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Houston Baptist University, as one of the top four in his class. In 2001, he completed work for his Ph.D. in Theology. (It's wonderful to call your son Dr. Mathison!) Keith is married and is the father of two of our beautiful grandchildren: Sarah Faith, 6 1/2 years old and Joseph Michael, 10 months old. He works for Ligonier Ministries in Florida and is Director of Curriculum Development and Assistant Editor of Tabletalk Magazine. Also to his credit are the three books he wrote on theology; has just finished writing his fourth.
Our second son, Brent Edward, was born January 19, 1970. He is our fisherman and hunter. He followed in his father's footsteps by going to work in a chemical plant. He went to tech school and is a machinist who works for British Petroleum at its Chocolate Bayou Plant. He is Maintenance Team Leader. Brent is married and the father of two more of our beautiful grandchildren: Macie Renee', 6 years old and Cale Edward, 11 months old.
Our third child, Leslie Renee' was born October 29, 1972. She was our little tomboy. She graduated from SWT with a B.A. in marketing. Upon graduation, Leslie went to work for Dell Computer in Austin, Texas. She is married and the mother of our fifth grandchild, Logan Alexander, who is 8 months old. At this time in her son's life, she is following in her mom's footsteps and is a "stay at home" mom. She is not only my beautiful daughter, she is my best friend.
Between running the roads to baseball and other kinds of games, gymnastics,
cheerleading, showing animals at the fairs and rodeos, being in Cub Scouts,
raising show and race horses, we pretty much met ourselves coming and going
over 40 year's time. There has been lots of laughter and tears, and through it
all, we managed to get all our children raised. Now I get to sit back and watch
the old mothers curse working! Paybacks are really pretty funny when you
think about them. All of you who are parents
know what I am talking about!!
My husband retired in 1996 after working for Monsanto/Sterling Chemical Company for over 33 years. He was an electrician and Electrical I & E Foreman Supervisor for a number of years. We saw the light at the end of the tunnel when Leslie, our youngest, graduated from college. We sold our home of 21 years in Alvin, Texas, and headed for the Hill Country. We built our new home in Boerne, Texas, and we love it here. Our kids and granddaughters love it too; and, we hope the little guys will love it just as much one day. My hobbies include painting, which I love, and I'm an avid reader.
My family is my heart. God has blessed our lives, we could not have asked for more.
God Bless