I GREW UP IN PASADENA , BUT I FEEL LIKE IVE BEEN ALL OVER THE USA. RIGHT NOW IM SETTLED DOWN IN SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS, YES HOME OF THE SIMPSONS. JUST TRYING TO DO THE FAMILY THING. IM MARRIED (TO A WONDERFUL MAN) AND I HAVE 4 CHILDREN. MY HUSBAND IS IN THE SERVICE, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, AND JUST RECENTLY RETURNED FROM IRAQ. I THINK I, AT AGE 30, AM FINALLY FINDING MYSELF. FAMILY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, MUCH MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A STRONG SOUL, BUT I NEVER REALLY HAD IDENTITY. I HAVE RECENTLY STARTED TRYING TO REACH OUT TO MY FAMILY AND IT FEELS GOOD. I LOVE TALKING TO MY GRANDPARENTS, AND SPENDING TIME WITH MY AUNT AND UNCLE. I LOVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHECKING ON MY SISTERS. BUT WHAT I LOVE EVEN MORE THAN THAT IS THAT THEY FEEL THE SAME ABOUT ME. I SPENT SO MANY YEARS SEARCHING FOR FAMILY AND WORKING SO HARD TO MAINTAIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. IT FEELS SO GOOD TO HAVE (COMPARED TO BEFORE) EFFORTLESS RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY. I STILL HAVE FAMILY OUT THERE THAT I DONT SEE EYE TO EYE WITH BUT FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE IM NOT LETTING IT BOTHER ME
