Where
do I start with Ken and Sherry? By normal standards, Ken and I should never
have become friends. After all, he was the ex-husband of the woman I loved.
But if you knew Ken, you would understand why I feel so fortunate to be able
to call him friend. I was always impressed with his dedication to his responsibilities
to his children. He always remained a part of their lives on a daily basis.
And how sweet is Sherry, the stepmom, also involved and supportive of their
upbringing. Why can't everyone be like these two? My first real experience with
the heart of these two people was when I ran into a problem while in the Navy.
I found I had to go to a 3 month school in Washington D.C. Since I had custody
of my 2 year old son, John, where I was going to keep him became an immense
problem. I had one casual friend in upstate New York who had said she would
watch him for me while I went to the school. However, she also had a son about
the same age, and after visiting for a day or two, she informed me she would
not be able to do it. And I had school starting in three days. The only people
I could think of to ask was Ken and Sherry. Thankfully, Sherry said she would
love to. She loved children and even had a pet monkey. So I drove back to Cleveland,
dropped off John, and then hurriedly drove back to DC. I couldn't have been
more fortunate to be able to leave John with someone who cared so much. Sherry
not only kept a diary with pictures of the things John would do, but they also
took him to Canada on their vacation with the other girls. He just looked like
he was having so much fun. Well it wasn't fun for me. This was my first (and
last) time I was ever separated from him. After about six weeks, I couldn't
take it any longer so I drove down to visit him over the weekend. It was easy
to see how much Sherry cared for John. I went back to the school missing him
more than ever now. I found a couple living on the the base who offered to watch
John during the time I was in school so I went back two weeks later and brought
him back with me. Although he was happy to come with me, he was very sad to
have to leave Ken and Sherry. Sherry also gave me the scrapbook she had been
keeping. Raising four kids on an enlisted man's pay was not easy. I asked if
they wanted any money for their efforts but almost got beat up for asking. Years
later, while in one of my financial binds, once again Ken came to my rescure.
I still have not been able to repay him for that loan, but until the day I die,
I will keep trying to find a way to do it. Sherry has had some health problems
and Ken is dealing with that and working out his own problems. Ken was always
a man who had the solutions for any problems life would throw at him. Problems
seems to be the one thing time does not change. I am sure he will figure out
what is best for his family. His family has always counted on him and they still
need to know he will be there if needed. Life has a tendancy to grab all of
us at one time or another and yank at us. I am sure the kids will take this
time to be there when he needs them. If anyone can do it, they can. No matter
the situation today, nothing can take away my memories and appreciation of these
two people that helped me so drastically in the raising of my children. My kids
are all doing well today. If they only knew the part these two played in those
successes. I even named my youngest son after Ken. I wanted to name my daughter
after Sherry but nobody names their kid after an alcoholic drink. (A little
humor there....damned little.) But to Ken and Sherry, I could never find the
words to thank you enough for helping me. Memories, God love them, allow me
to bask in the joy of the memories these two created for me while all else around
me seems to be going nutso. Warmth engulfs me and a smile bursts through my
lips at just the thought of them both. I humbly and proudly say, "Thanks for
the memories." 