Childhood Web

My Mom (Victoria Didier)- My mother was the main person I lived with growing up. My parents separated and later divorced when I was 3. Although I care deeply for her, our relationship has not always been the easiest. My mom was raised by her grandparents growing up, her own mother was a dancer who suffered from schizophrenia and was on the road alot. Her side of the family is very much into the arts so I was exposed to and came to  have a deep appreciation for music, dance and art. I think her marrying young and having me when she was only 20 left her not alot of time for her own personal healing and growth so she did the best she could. Soon after my parents split she became a Jehovah's Witness till I was about 13 so I would spend birthdays and holidays with my father. She was always concerned with a  healthy diet and exercise that certainly gave me a wonderful guideline. I also can remember her being very animated when reading stories with me, it is my best memory of my childhood with her. My mom is warm and always told me she loved me so I knew that from a very early age. 


My Dad (Raymond Martin)- My father always stayed near me after my parents divorced and made sure he saw me every week. He let me explore and instilled his love of the outdoors and nature in me. He taught me to take risks to not have fear. I learned how to swim and ride a bike from him and would follow him along at work as a landscaper. I think we share similar taste in music and share new finds. He recently overcame thyroid cancer and I am glad that I have moved back up to the northeast to be close to my family.


My Stepmom (Patou)- My dad met my stepmom when I was 4 so I have grown up with her as a parent figure for most of my life. Patou is from France and was an aupair when she first met my father. She came from a small village with very strict parents and seemed to carry many European traditions over with her. Some of the things I did not always understand growing up. but I have learned to love her gourmet cuisine and appreciate that I was able to travel.


My Brother Brandon- My brother and I are 10 years apart, he is my half brother but I never really considered him that. I was very excited to have a sibling when he was born although our age gap and different households still made it feel like I  was an only child growing up. We recently have become more close as he has gotten older but we are pretty different personality wise. We love to go skiing together (well he snowboards, I ski) and share similar cravings for sushi.


My Grandmother (Gramnee)- My grandmother (father's mother) is one of my best friends and she has always been my biggest supporter. I do not think I could have over come as much if it wasn't for her. She is my fathers mother and lives down in Savannah, Georgia. I would spend my part of my summers with her and every Christmas, she made holidays magical in my eyes. She taught me that what ever you are doing can not be as important if a child asks for time to show you something. When I graduated high school I was at a rough point and did not have a home to live in, she had me come down to live with her and told me I would always have a place there. I talked to her every couple of days and she knows me better than anyone.


My Grandmother Marie (Nana Rei)- Nana Rei (mother's mom) disappeared when I was three. She left a note on the door saying she was going on a long walk and we never found her again until I was 13. For years when I would say my prayers before bed I would pray that we would find her...after years of searching we received news that she had been living homeless in New York City for some time and it was starting to take its toll on her. She was brought into Belleview hospitals psychiatric ward and this is where I met her again. Nana Rei was the sweetest person and very funny. She had much sense in her madness and was very savy. Growing up I didn't always understand her quirky ways of tilting pictures or wearing her shoes on the wrong feet (tricking her bunions) but it made me appreciate her and find a greater sense of acceptance in life. She passed away the day after Mother's Day last year from a short hard battle with pancreatic cancer. She never wanted treatment and didn't even take pain relievers until her final days. My mother cared for her at home and I feel watching her strength in doing so healed many of our own wounds.


My Aunt Su and Uncle Chris- My uncle Chris is my fathers younger brother and the youngest of 6. When I was 15 my mom kicked me out of the house after many arguments and my aunt Su and uncle Chris had me come live with them for a year. My uncle Chris had just finished earning his college degree as an adult and was very much a promoter of higher education. He knew math was my worst subject and found a tutor and evn college text books to help me out. Living with them set me back on the right path in school and allowed me to join the swim team and be involved in sports because they made sure I had rides to practice.


My Godmother Alanna and My Cousin Antonio- Alanna is actually my Nana Rei's first cousin and only a few years older than my mom, they grew up like sisters. Alanna was the one to get my mom to get out and do things, we spent many weekends with her and her son Antonio who I grew up with like a brother. She is colorful and gypsy like and our family get togethers were always a blast. There is was always laughter and comedy skits when the two of them are around. She brought out the fun side in my mom.


I think there are many people in my life that helped me grow into the person I am today these are only a few. However I think their stories impacted me the most and they were the ones who have been constant figures in my life. I have a deep love of life and have found that I am happiest on my current path. My childhood memories both good and bad have made me want to give whatever nurture I have, to the children in my life. I remember what it was like to experience certain things and I think that makes me sensitive to the feelings of those around me.