My last posting was an introduction to my childhood showing my first experiences with Christ and in the church. This is a continuation of my childhood. As previously stated, I visited my aunt and uncle frequently in Ohio. They were a major influence in my spirituality.
When I was eleven, my mother found a job in South Carolina but at the time I didn't want to move. My dad lived in Tarboro, NC at the time and I did visit him every other weekend. The weekends were fun for me and I enjoyed being around my dad and step-mother quite a bit. Anyway, at age eleven I decided to move in with my dad so I didn't have to go all the way to South Carolina. We lived in a single wide gray and white trailer at Mid-Lakes mobile home park. My dad and stepmother did not attend church at that time.
My dad was an alcoholic and had been for many years. My stepmother didn't drink at all that I remember. He was not a mean alcoholic and in fact treated me very well. On the weekends he would frequently barbecue chicken outside on the grill while having some Seagram's' Seven© and Sun Drop©. These memories weren't bad but I do wonder what life would have been like without the alcohol. There may have been some opportunities there for me if he hadn't been drinking on a daily basis but all in all life wasn't too bad. He made sure I did my school work and was obedient. He made sure that I knew he loved me one way or the other. It was a simple life but that really makes you appreciate things a lot more. Trips to go out to eat were sparse so when we did go it was such a treat. Although, eating at home was pretty good because my dad and stepmother could really cook.
When I turned thirteen about midway through my seventh grade year I found out that my dad was unfaithful to my stepmother and he wanted me to move with him to go live with the other family. As a child, change is difficult, even on a small scale, but this was dramatic for me. I insisted on staying with my stepmother and he didn't force me to go. My mother agreed to allow me to stay with my stepmother until the end of the school year until she could pick me up. My stepmother took care of me and we actually moved near her mother on a piece of land her mother gave her.
The end of the school year came and my grades suffered a bit but I made it through. My mother picked me up and took me to North Charleston, SC where I stayed at an apartment with her. My future stepfather visited and did a lot of things with me. During this time I had little communication with my dad but that was my choice really. I made it through my eight grade year but my mother and future stepfather felt like I should go to a Christian school in North Charleston instead of going to public school.
My next posting will include my journey in the Christian school and life's events after that so stay tuned. I know its starting kind of slow but there was just some background that had to be covered to give you an idea of my childhood and the way things began.
When I was eleven, my mother found a job in South Carolina but at the time I didn't want to move. My dad lived in Tarboro, NC at the time and I did visit him every other weekend. The weekends were fun for me and I enjoyed being around my dad and step-mother quite a bit. Anyway, at age eleven I decided to move in with my dad so I didn't have to go all the way to South Carolina. We lived in a single wide gray and white trailer at Mid-Lakes mobile home park. My dad and stepmother did not attend church at that time.
My dad was an alcoholic and had been for many years. My stepmother didn't drink at all that I remember. He was not a mean alcoholic and in fact treated me very well. On the weekends he would frequently barbecue chicken outside on the grill while having some Seagram's' Seven© and Sun Drop©. These memories weren't bad but I do wonder what life would have been like without the alcohol. There may have been some opportunities there for me if he hadn't been drinking on a daily basis but all in all life wasn't too bad. He made sure I did my school work and was obedient. He made sure that I knew he loved me one way or the other. It was a simple life but that really makes you appreciate things a lot more. Trips to go out to eat were sparse so when we did go it was such a treat. Although, eating at home was pretty good because my dad and stepmother could really cook.
When I turned thirteen about midway through my seventh grade year I found out that my dad was unfaithful to my stepmother and he wanted me to move with him to go live with the other family. As a child, change is difficult, even on a small scale, but this was dramatic for me. I insisted on staying with my stepmother and he didn't force me to go. My mother agreed to allow me to stay with my stepmother until the end of the school year until she could pick me up. My stepmother took care of me and we actually moved near her mother on a piece of land her mother gave her.
The end of the school year came and my grades suffered a bit but I made it through. My mother picked me up and took me to North Charleston, SC where I stayed at an apartment with her. My future stepfather visited and did a lot of things with me. During this time I had little communication with my dad but that was my choice really. I made it through my eight grade year but my mother and future stepfather felt like I should go to a Christian school in North Charleston instead of going to public school.
My next posting will include my journey in the Christian school and life's events after that so stay tuned. I know its starting kind of slow but there was just some background that had to be covered to give you an idea of my childhood and the way things began.
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