Cindy Derefield Runnels

I tried the college thing right after high school. I GUESS you have to be for ready for it and I wasn't,At that time anyway. I left Yakima in 1973 to WATERLOO IOWA to re-acquiant myself with my Father and siblings. ( I was raised in Yakima the oldest of 10 children ). While there I met a married my first husband, who worked at JOHN DEERE. We had 3 children, Leta who is 37, Jennifer 33, and my son John 32. We were foster parents for 20 years and in that time parented 40 kids from all walks of life. From battered and abused ..to a doctors kid who just didn't cut the mustard to his father specs.

I wasn't *Just a housewife.* My mother in law had income property so I helped her , met weekly with Social workers, therapists, parents of the foster children. Took foster parenting classes to learn techniques and new ways to handle kids.

We were at school functions with the kids, SPORTS. Imagine sitting in the bleachers, in a snowmobile suit, at a football game and watch them stop a game long enough to remove snow off of the lines.

First grandbaby was born in 1992, Corrine . From then to this date we have 12 living Grandchildren ranging from 18 yrs to 2 yrs. We have 2 Angels Carter and Kayleigh.

In 2000, I left him and moved to TEXAS. Had never been alone in my entire life, always had siblings around. Never had to work outside the home..Until then..!! I applied and was hired at a nursing home in Palestine, Texas. They trained me and I became a CERTIFIED NURSES AIDE. Got divorced and loved learning about myself.

Then in Feb. of 2001 I met John, my current husband. He tells the story that an ANGEL fell , had some bruises and he took care of her and made her his wife. We will be married 9 yrs in July. I work in the local nursing home. he encouraged me to do something that wasn't so tough on the body So I became a medication aide.

I married one of the best deisel mechnics in all the area. People bring their tractors to him from 100's of miles away. He is also LEGALLY Blind. He has macular degeneration in right eye and a prosthetic in left eye that he injured with a chisel.

HE mechanics I work in the nursing home PRN, cause he is my priority in life, he is MY LIFE

We have 3 1/2 acres of heaven with a cow named MICHELLE, her calf named TUESDAY and donkey named Rosie. A Huge garden.

WHO could ask for more.

Cindy Derifield Runnels

Buffalo, Texas

Editor's Note: I wish I had a donkey!