grew up in a small
blue-collar town in N.E.
Ohio about 50 miles south
of Cleveland. Some may be familiar with N.E. Ohio because of the Football Hall of Fame located in Canton, OH or from Lebron James who grew up in nearby Akron, OH. My city, Massillon, is legendary for their high school football program. There have been many well-known college and professional coaches that have gotten their start in our town, and a countless number of high school athletes that have gone on to play college and professional football. Me included. However, like in many small towns around the world, what makes it special are the people. Everyone knows each other, which makes it more of a close-knit community. Also, residents in those towns tend to have a lot of family members that live close by. I know I did, which made it even more special.
Family has always been extremely important to me. It’s what keeps me going and keeps me smiling. My best childhood memories are from hanging out with my cousins back in the day. My grandparents on both sides had a tremendous influence on my upbringing, as well as my aunts and uncles, but I don’t know if I fully appreciated the impact that they all had on my life until I started getting older. Now that my grandparents have passed on, it saddens me that I never had a chance to really thank them for creating such wonderful memories. But, I do have a great aunt that is still thriving and turning 99 years young this year and I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize her during Women’s History Month.
I
tremendous influence on my upbringing, as well as my aunts and uncles, but I don’t know if I fully appreciated the impact that they all had on my life until I started getting older. Now that my grandparents have passed on, it saddens me that I never had a chance to really thank them for creating such wonderful memories. But, I do have a great aunt that is still thriving and turning 99 years young this year and I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize her during Women’s History Month.