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Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Fifteen

She revamped the interior of one of these old buildings, then used it as a shop to make all of her home made arts and crafts projects, then marketed and sold them. Much as she had done in her younger years from home. Only now on a much larger and bigger scale! She sold from her own website or online business now too. This paid for the small manufactured home she had shipped there, and a place for family or friends to come visit and stay too. Her sisters loved it! They even brought her housewarming gifts and helped her decorate, it was loads of fun for the whole family. She guessed where ever the old man's spirit was now it was smiling. Her family from his side came too from time to time, to appraise her works there and tell how proud her father would have been and how proud they all were too. She bought some cats, and a couple dogs. Even started the idea of dating someone she was looking for just her right soul mate online all the time. One of these days she knows she'll find him too, then her future life's path will have been completed with her very own family and home. She had come just about full circle, and knew she could most likely handle anything now. Perhaps even marriage!! Yet, that is a whole other story, all together now isn't.
THE END

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Fourteen

Nellie Piper could tell Mary Lou was just a bit uncomfortable with all of this and that was understandable, so she kept most of all this to herself. She decided not to observe there Birthdays this didn't seem quite her place somehow because of the big age differences. There interests being so very different in life. They still observed hers however, with a card and a letter. She guessed that her biggest fear with them was she would eventually say they considered wrong or disrespectful, and they wouldn't want to ever see her or even write another letter again. Mary Lou and her step-Dad Frank had brought her up in a much different sort of household, in a much different sort of life. She was allowed to believe she lived in America the home of the brave and the free, that meant you were allowed to be brave to believe in whatever you did or didn't want to and to be equal with the men and hero's in this life, after all you were the one's fought for and served so you had must be fairly pretty valuable and important there yourselves,right. It wasn't her fault she was so different from this other family, it's just all she has ever known. They knew better then to talk off hand about the family who had raised her though too, this cut her and hurt her more than anything else could. It just simply wasn't allowed. They never really did either, they were really fairly respectful and decent people from what all she could tell now. She was sure this is what time and years of learning or lessons learned had done for them, they were not perfect people. They had been taught to be more thankful, gracious, and just a bit kinder. This was not lessons learned easily either. Perhaps they believed there was no way such a young woman could possibly know that much or understand without sacrifices, but she had sacrificed not exactly what they had no. Yet, to her own level of living in this life she had done her share and then some. When they knew of all the things she had done they did begin to warm up even more towards her, but not before this. That's how she knew she was correct in the type of folks they were. She went out daily now to work on this old piece land, and care and do upkeep projects her Father had been unable to do himself, she would see it through for him now. It was very healing and good therapy for her. The emptiness in her heart and spirit were healing. For although he was never a part in her life or much of anything really. The time they had spent she learned much from him and who he was. Plus, in fact he would always be in history her blood father. That's just the way life was, she could never use her strong willfulness to just magically "will" her step-Dad into being this for her. No matter how much more easy and convenient this may have seemed for her than the realities of this life, she did not nor would she ever posses these sorts of powers. Still there bond was a very close and strong one and could never be broken, he did raise her as a Daughter still after all.

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Thirteen

They were such a very different generation with so many different views of things and ways of doing things and believing. For one thing she knew that they were a strong Catholic family and Nellie Piper really wanted nothing to do with religion at all, she was spiritual person not a religious one at all. Then there were the old political or patriot beliefs. Nellie Piper was non-partisan and really liked it this way! She did not care for completely, any one of the parties views yet combined together as a whole they made a bit more sense to her. She also loved the idea of universal healthcare, something this family didn't care for much. Her Grandparents did not believe in birth control or sex without marriage, they grew there own produce mostly, and Grandma sewed allot, Grandpa still plowed the fields. It was like the 1800's almost with there household, really. They had never even owned a computer or a printer, she wasn't sure if they had a DVD player either. They did have running water in the house, electricity, and a landline phone. Of course like most of there neighbors and family, friends. They used wood heat in the winter. Nellie Piper was used to this and it seemed one of the few things they did have in common. She was just glad to take the things they shared in common, and leave the rest out. She did like to do some needlework and home made crafts like her Grandma too, and they both loved cats. Her Grandma was also fairly wise about healthy eating which had always interested Nellie Piper as well. They endedup sharing so very many things in common. Yet Nellie Piper's taste in music,fashion and beauty, these things were much different too. So whatever they could share was considered rare special and unique, a gift to be treasured amoung them. They both enjoyed picture taking or nature photography and letter writing. So they became wonderful pen pals. They wrote at least one or more letters a month to each other, and every Birthday and holidays too!

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Twelve

There was something different about Grandpa that was made very clear to Nellie Piper. He was well known to be a bit of a bully or a big tease, and boarder line on highly judgmental and controlling. Now, she had been on a few visits with her "father" and Carrie Sunshine. She had been surprised, and overcome by emotions, she felt for this man who looked so thin and pale he was very sick indeed. He couldn't hold a conversation very long only a few minutes at a time his medications wouldn't allow it. She asked him for as much information as he could give her about how best to care for his place and she wrote it all down as he told her. Right by his hospital bed, this was the only time they were to ever know of together at all in this life. When he did pass away, she met all her cousin's and there children, there was many children there too! Plus, her two wonderfully loving Aunt's/Grandma's and Uncle's/Grandpa's. Then, the Great-Grandma and Grandpa themselves. A fairly large family really. Yet, still not half as many as what she had grown up with on her step Dad's side. Many more Aunt's and Uncle's and cousins there! This seemed very tiny when she thought of it. This family would most likely be much closer with each other because of this too, however. Only a few members of the family came over to her to offer there condolences, and to say what a great son and brother her father had been to them. None of her cousins knew him, so they had nothing much to say. They wanted to see her again and get to know each other, they did say however. Great-Grandma invited her over for Sunday pancakes they did this every Sunday, Grandpa made them. She said it sounded just wonderful and she would come someday soon, not alone however she thought to herself as she shot the very tall and big old man a look. He did look hard and mean, yet sort of like a giant clown somehow too. It was strange. Her Grandma could have been her much older twin sister. She knew she took after her the most of anyone in this family she had met in looks.

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Eleven

What they came up with on him was pretty interesting, but not all good. He had moved around allot, had been honorably discharged from the army before finishing boot camp. For medical reason's, he knew allot about many things a sort of student of life. Yet, never applied it to much of anything steady for very long a period of time. He had a severe mental illness that he took medication for, and was stable now a days. He owed quite a large amount of unpaied taxes,that were covered by the government since he had been in a steady program with them since his young years of being discharged. They still assisted him, his land was able to be purchased via government bonds. Since there were old historic or government owned buildings on it. To be able medically to keep up this land and buildings, there was a medical program through the government that was helping him now because of his mental and physical hardships now. So, his money worries were all cared for, either through his family members or the government. Nellie Piper was a bit curious about his family too she must admit. Yet a bit leery of them at the same time.She had heard some very not so great things about them. Yet she also had to consider the source. Something inside her gut however, perhaps woman's intuition told her they were indeed all very true. She made up her mind she would never see them without one of her sisters , or at least somebody at phone calls distance to come pick her up. They were know to be a very dangerous and powerful family. They had what is known as old world money and many friends who worked for them. They owned quite a large piece of land and always would, of this she was certain. Not all of her family members lived on or near this land, they had places of there own now. None of her cousin's her own age lived there, nor did any of them want to. One Aunt & Uncle also wanted nothing to do with this place at all. Only one of there children an Aunt of Nellie Piper's did, her Aunt,and her husband, and there children and grandchildren. That was more than plenty enough for them to have living there with them.

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Ten

She could hardly believe it as she packed her things and wrote out her goodbye letters. Just how much she would miss all of these people she worked here with, and who had become a part of her everyday life, even like friends to her really. She had, had a few friends in her life , but not quite like these people here. They were a special breed of friend altogether, she was scared she may never know something this special ever again. That was the only one worry she had, but her loyalties lay with her beloved family first and foremost. If they hadn't she never would have been the friend all of these brave and kind people had known, from day one of knowing her at all. They all had known this about her already, yet there weare a few brand new things they were all learning right along with her. Everybody wished her a very well goodbye. They wanted to know how everything turned out for her and hoped it all went well. Of course, she did too yet she suspected there would be some hard and tense times to come. Knowing her Mother's younger days with relationships, they were always left bitter and with some strange unresolved resentments about her. Nellie Piper was not the kind of lady to take kindly at all,any sort of bad or disrespectful talk about her Mother at all. She absolutely knew, she would never stand any of it from this man either. No matter, if her father or what he may or may not do good for her or not. Her Mother's feelings always were to be considered first and foremost or she wouldn't play friendly with him at all and that was that! By the time she arrived back home her Grandma's memorial was already over and Sara Star was full of hatefulness and resentfulness towards her for not having been there, that was made very clear to her! Yet, Carrie Sunshine smoothed it all over by offering to gladly take her to visit with and get to know her father for a few days a week until she felt comfortable enough around hin and the place there. Perhaps get to know some of his friends and neighbors too. Sara Star said for now she wanted nothing to do at all with Nellie Piper she was a back stab to there family and couldn't be trusted. Carrie Sunshine, insisted her bark was much worse than her bite, she was just too hurt right then and there but time has a way to heal these wounds. Nellie Piper knew her family very well, and trusted this to be the truth of the situation. Now being this the computer or internet generation, that Nellie Piper lived in. Her and Carrie Sunshine were able to go and look up information about Nellie Piper's father, before ever even going to meet him and get to know him.

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, part Nine

Carrie Sunshine said, "I have a secret to tell you, now don't get mad it was thought for your own good at the time. Your real father is not the same man as Sara Star's and mine, and he wants for you to be a part of his life somehow. He's getting older and a very sick man, he has cancer and is dying he needs help now more than ever in his life. You just must be there for him now, or you will regret it for the rest of your own days. My sister, it's all true, please believe me I can prove it too. I have your birth papers here, I grabbed from Mom's hidden place. Carrie Sunshine gave Nellie Piper all of her "real" father's contact information. She also told her how he owned and did landscaping or caretaker/ground keeper work on a very old historical state buildings there, on the land that he owned, but he was in the hospital so much now. He just couldn't anymore. So, like a lightening bolt it all hit her at once! This was all destined to be, she would go care for this place for her father, and get to know him now while she still had time to at least. What all they had taught her and showed her here about landscaping and caring for old buildings would come in very useful too, plus whatever her father would teach her of course. So, all this time being homeless and working so hard wouldn't go done in vain, it would all really mean something after all. Knowing her Mother's past and life style having a different Dad didn't surprise her at all that much, but now she knew her time here had come to an end and she must go home.

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part eight

During the weekdays she was still left with some extra rare moments, to ponder just what all her family members had been up to since she left. So she decided to finally break down and ask her Mom. What she told her was both, predictable and interestingly shocking all at the same time. Predictable because, one of her sisters had gotten married and moved away. Interestingly shocking because one had not and was in college and considering starting a career now. So, time marched on things at the old household had changed dramatically for her Mother, in her absence. They both said how very much they loved and missed each other and her Mother asked, "please when are you coming home, soon I hope?" Nellie Piper always said, "yes soon, probably in just a few more months. I'v had just about all I can take of it here and miss home way too much to stay much longer anyway." This was all very true, except for her siblings judging and mean looks and comments. She really didn't need or want any of that business, but after all she had been through she felt a bit more confident, that she could and would survive even that anymore. Then, the call from her Mother the next day not only broke her heart, it shook her to her very core of her being, and started the chain of events that would help her finally discover the path for her life she had been seeking. With all of her God given powers in this life just seeking. Her step Dad's Mother had passed away, she must come for the funeral. She had to tell them no, she was needed there just too much now. She cried all of that day off and on, and all that night as well. This woman had helped there family through more dark times than she could remember and was loved and cared for by her as much as any blood relative. She could hardly believe she was gone, but relieved a bit for her, since she was aware of how ill she had been for so long. Now there Grandpa was left without her however. She really wondered just how her younger sisters were holding up through this news, they were even closer to Grandma then she was. Being raised as more a part of that family. Nellie Piper in all her grandly famous willfulness had chosen to not be so close to them. She had her reason's, and they were very personal and private to her. She called her sister Carrie Sunshine now married and on her own, these two had shared a special bond when little, she knew it was still there too. What Carrie Sunshine informed her of however, shocked her and everything even more than the death of there Grandma had!

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Seven

She was so homesick, missed the people she knew really loved and cared for her. it wasn't these people or this place, that had been clear. Her family would never make her work for slave wages and while she was so sick without medical care or even a long resting period until fully well again before going back to work again. Plus, with what you earned here it wasn't enough to even live pay check to pay check, if she did pay rent on this place she would have nothing left at all. She felt trapped, used, abused, and taken for granted almost everyday now. Plus that totally invisible feeling on top of it all, it was as if she were a slave to this place, really. No way out, no way to move up or forward with life. This was it until you died you lived this way. Well, she was much too young for all of that she decided. She stopped going out or spending money on anything, she saved in a local bank account. She was going to get her own apartment, she did and all of the sudden they moved her up into supervisor as a red hat. The better you were in life at to handle your work, your own place to live off the homeless route and bought your own foods and supplies. The more independent and strong you became, the more they treated you better and with more respect and trust of duties around the tent city facilities. She now carried the keys to unlock any and all doors in the whole entire place there. She was now treated and trusted as any equal employee who had been working there for years more than herself. Mostly just because the homeless people's themselves trusted and liked her so much. This also made many of the supervisor's like her even more, some became a bit envious but they soon got over this for the most part. She now even attended company outings and parties at some of the administrations homes. Some parties were full of real letting loose and party fun times. Others, were more for the enlightened and educated crowds. With healthy food displays and sporty pool games, even Q&A trivia games with very funny gag gifts. She attended Halloween and Christmas parties, and even some church functions and ceremonies, they went to pizza, old country buffet, and even sea food places. She liked these people allot, both some as co-workers and even good friends now. Still, it was never the same as her own families love to her. It just couldn't or wouldn't ever quite measure up in her heart and mind at all. It was nice clean good fun to break free from the relentless tasks of the long work weeks however. These were only weekend events of course.

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Six

People felt safer somehow sleeping nearer to the tent city's facilities. Even if it meant being arrested,jailed, ticketed and fined many times over. They always came back anyway. This was there one and only home and they would live and die here. There was also a sort of memorial set up for all of these people. The fountain memorial wall, they etched names into this beautiful marbeled wall by the dozens at times. The water always flowing, a rock pond and backing with a rock shelf for burning a candle light or placing flowers. Memory items during the grieving ceremonies. The pastor invited people to stand and talk about there passed friend or loved one. A flower bouquet and benches for seating are always there too. Nellie Piper was soon needed and liked so well, she was given a cottage to live in on the grounds. She soon realized that working here among the people was a very thankless job, the the homeless people she was given a paycheck that should be all the thanks she should ever need or get from anybody. You had the sense that you were invisible or next to a nothing or nobody to the majority of the majority of the population there. Not a "real"member of there society simply since you worked and earned a pay check. This was frowned upon by them, that you now were nothing but a goody goody, or even a snitch or something of some kind. So, Nellie Piper thought it best to keep as low a profile with them as possible and just went ahead and played the role, or part of the invisible ghost around most people, and barely spoke to anyone ever. Except her trusted partners, and fellow employees the staff members only. Now in her tiny cottage she had, two very small rooms, one a bathroom the other kitchen/dining, and a bathroom with toilet sink and shower. The cottage was a very old one made of stucko and the plumbing and piping always needed work. It was free to her as long as she worked the dish line and did her morning volunteer chores, plus stayed out of trouble. They gave her a company cell phone, to use only for work and talking with the other staff members. She used the phone in the library to call her family. She came there almost 40 pounds over weight and thank goodness for that, since her hard work had made the weight just seem to fall off of her now. When she got home in the afternoons now she just wanted to rest. Nobody seemed to ever care how exhausted, sick or tired she got. She must still work anyway. She had strep throat, even walking phemmonia once and still the whole time!

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Five

Then there were the more hard to handle people, well they handled them alright and it's pretty interesting just how they did this too. All red and orange hats stepped up and told them they would be 86'd or kicked out from the park and all surrounding services for a week, or that they would have to go to rehab or anger management therapy classes, at times just sending in a priest or minister helped too, or a man in security well known to end these situations. After packing up camps each morning she just had so much time on her hands. With everything needing to be done as far as clean-up help, and assistance in these ways around the park areas too with so many people always in and around there so often. There was the fabulous idea of adding flowers into the park. Turned out to be not such a good idea, since most people thought these flowers for them personally and picked them. Then so many people used the pots they were planted in as ash trays for there many cigarettes, they all smoked it seemed. Mostly men worked in and around the park for these dangerous reason's, but there were some pretty tough woman who assisted them too. The main guys were big Bob and Tylor nobody acted up or threatened these two too much, they knew better. Then there was Arron, Vanessa, and Kyle, Doc, Lisa, Ashley, Lauren, Adam, James, Brian, Brandon, Karen, Rene. Well, this was the main staff that all the homeless knew and had working with them in their lives on a daily basis. The ones that worked just as hard but behind the scenes, not so much with the people were, either Librarians, therapists, landscapers, carpenters and maintenance, nurses, office and secretaries, religious or spiritual supporters. Woman's empowerment, mental illness therapists, school teachers, this is still only half the staff members there listed, as Nellie Piper found herself too busy soon to meet and get to know everybody that well. She did know that there were many more however. There were also some great people working in there animal shelter Emma and Tony and a few others, did excellent work there. Eva & Johny invited her as a volunteer only to assist. them with some landscape and clean-up jobs for her very early morning, then in the afternoon she worked the dish line job, she earned about 8 dollars an hour for four hours of work a day. Enough to buy her own personal care products and food, even go to the laundry mat close to work. Every now and then she even treated herself to a meal at a nearby cafe or mexican food restaurant. She even went to a couple of movies at the closest mall theatre in the city. She rode her bicycle everywhere and had saddlebags and a large basket in front she used. For her grocery, and laundry days, or meals and movies out. To save money from riding the light rails there. She started just helping this helping this very nice elderly couple, Eva and Johny with trimming the hedges around the animal shelter and the children's school and playground area's, weeding and planting new vine climbers to grow around the fences. To protect the children from prying eyes. She watched as there little climbers grew and grew as they wrapped them around the fences. They also got rid of the never ending cigarette butts and garbage detailing. They rode in golf carts loaded with cleaning supplies and other gardening and maintenance tools, there golf carts hauled little trailers for moving out and clean up of all the heavier items around the properties. This tent city had a good 6 to 8 city block area to cover. They even helped clean up local business's affected by what went on everyday there with all of the thousands of homeless, eating, sleeping, even using drug needles and going to the bathroom right on the business's front or back door steps. They cleaned up condoms, and all kinds of clothes, bedding, beer and other liquor bottles everywhere. They used buckets full of bleach water to clean these places out real good. The amounts of cardboard slept on, they cleaned up was huge every morning from these business's.

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Four

Even though it was the same lands used for boy scouts hiking's and meetings. This bit of country in the city still had plenty of wildlife about it at night, coyote's,skunks, a family of peacocks, rats, and of course insects. She was prepared for this too, plenty of bug prays, and as for the animals her motto there was I mind mu business you mind yours. Never any food left at camp at all. To live this way truly she needed to also make an income like everyone else there struggling to do everyday. She got a job on a dish line in the kitchen. Where all of them including herself ate there daily meals breakfast and Lunch/dinner, lunch/dinner were as one big meal altogether. Two meals a day free. If you needed three, there were churches that came around or local good samaritans with trucks and vans full of food and drinks too. They set up there tables and there you were right out there in the streets your super as well. Nellie Piper met a Lady named Tina on the dish line and Clarence and Toby. Plus the cooks Andrew and Tyler. There supervisors or boss's who also worked upstairs in the offices with pay role and all of there other paperwork business. Sonya & Tyrone a nice enough couple, and there big sister Starla. Starla was just about everyone's boss in the kitchen. Most people who worked in the kitchen, but not all, were either married to or were long time buddies with those who worked and helped keep the park area going one big happy family, really. In the park there were red and orange hats. Those wearing red hats were supervisors, those in orange hats the workers yet some red hats did both. Yes, some of the employees there were at one time homeless, still were , or they just always worked in these areas in life and were well suited for the positions. There were people there working who did have nice homes and families, and they loved there jobs there too, they cared for the people.

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Three

Whenever Mary Lou became concerned just a bit though somehow young highly intuitive Nellie Piper always knew it very well, and knew just what to say to calm her Mothers concerns or worries. Nellie Piper said, "No, Mom I do want to have friends and family. Even a husband one day." Nellie Piper also said,"I want to feel safe that's all, what if something happens like you and Dad. People don't always stay married, I need my career first." If a person really loves me they would understand and except this or they never loved me to start. Just some fantasy and not the real me." Nellie Piper also said, "You know if when I do meet my true other half and we marry, he had also better be willing to adopt a child if we cannot have one, I will be an older bride I'm certain. It may not be advisable to start a family then, so my rules are set on these matters. There are friends and family members children too to consider in our lives. Children are always around anyway in this life." Nellie Piper always had an answer or an excuse, every single time. Finally Mary Lou had to just give up. Then out of the blue it seemed to Mary Lou and Carrie Sunshine, and Sara Star her own sisters hadn't a clue. Nellie Piper announced, "I'm moving to California to live with and become one of there homeless people's. There I will find myself through true survival. Only then can I find my path to my future place in this world." Mary Lou was scared and interested all at once. "How long do you think this will take for you?" "A couple of years or more, Nellie Piper wasn't listening to anything any of them had to say at all. Her bags were all packed, and she simply said. "I'm going to the bus station you can take me or I'll call a cab, I'm eighteen and either way I'm going." So, Mary Lou knowing her Daughter well, knew she would never win here so may as well stay friendly at least and give her the ride. Her sisters were both horrified, what will we tell people!! We have a homeless person in the family. They shouted all kinds of terrible, mean, hateful things and called her every bad name under the sun. She never cared what they thought anyway, so none of this bothered her in the least little bit. They were just being spoiled brats as usual, Nellie Piper thought as she packed her things off to her own kind of college or learning University that of real life, not a class room. That had never taught her enough to get through this life anyway. Her Mother's thoughts raced,"what if a crazy person kills you, what if your raped, what if they beat you and drug you and sell you for sex. Then I never see you again until your funeral?" Nellie Piper, just plainly answered, "I have a tent and a good spot, and I know a few people well enough from visiting already. She had lied and said she was viewing colleges there. When all along she was making new friends people to trust, to spend her days around and sleep in her tent safely near. Mostly very elderly couples, disabled and just surviving out there on SSI checks. This was a kind of a tent city, that also had a park with a good library, free laundry, and year round showers. They gave out free meals, clothes, and bedding, medical care, and education info. job searches, therapy for mental and physical needs, new tents, & other outdoor gear, even bicycles sometimes went up for auctions. She already had a good one though, they he gave plenty of back packs, hygiene supplies were given too. She bought a storage unit, that she went to everyday just like it was her own personal bedroom only she didn't sleep in it. All her clothes and other extra supplies for emergencies were kept here, along with her bicycle. She only rode it for exercise a few times a week max anyway. As long as you followed all the rules, and didn't step on anybodies toes too much. You did just fine here. She called back home almost 4 or 5 times a week, sometimes more. Just to let them know she was o.k. She had to admit, nothing during the day time could ever get to her as much as the nights did.

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part Two

Her sisters on the other hand believed the ways to live were only like there Grandparents and nobody else's ever, marry well, learn to care for and your household perfectly clean and organized, be a perfect hostess at all times and wonderful all around cook, gardener, and loving doting Mother. These were the only and best things you could ever hope for as a woman, wife, and Mother. To her sisters this seemed fair and rational, to her she believed they were absolutely mad. They had all lost there minds. All except herself and her Mother that is. So, Nellie Piper refused to go to her Grandparents ever. Until she felt ready again that is. In the mean while, she found and focused on her own passion. Home crafting, and how to sell and market her items. Now nearly sixteen years old she had a very large collection of her works to sell, and making more to add everyday. Her sisters, always completely annoying only talked of dresses, clothes, wedding plans for there futures, what type of man they really wanted, the houses they wanted, how many children they would have and there names too. On and on it all went, the never ending future planning. Never just happy or satisfied to live now or in the moments. Always about the next big things, the hypes, and the fads, what was in now today. Keeping up with the Jone's attitudes all the way! While, Nellie Piper only halfway considered these things when thrown into the mix with her sisters jabberings. Usually though, as always she was perfectly happy, content, and satisfied with her life just as it was. Creating her own market of hand made arts and crafts, even some natural beauty items she was now marketing and selling very well. Her Mother saw much of herself in her and was proud, but now a bit concerned too.

Strong Willed, Grows At It's Own Pace, Part One

Mary Lou Stratton the eldest Daughter of a highly respected businessman and her Mother who by all accounts from everybody in the community was the very shining example of just what the perfect housewife,homemaker should always look up too and strive to become. Well, Mary Lou was a very independent and creative minded person and had decided long ago as a small child she wanted none of this and her family and children would be raised very much differently. Also, the elder sister of ten younger siblings, she just knew in all her soul with all of these years assisting at home with care for all these children. She could handle her own family now, with some levels of wisdom,love,and guidance. She found a man that thought very much the same ways as herself about all of these views, and they were married and had three children. They settled on a hippie, naturalist,commune out in a desert country with a dozen other families. Her parents hated this! So, of course she loved it! Wanting her children to have less common, and even conforming names, than her own. She named her three Daughters Nellie Piper, Carrie Sunshine, and Sara Star. She soon learned that she did not share all the communes views, and divorced. To become an even more independent and creative Mother on her own. She thrived! Learning and becoming every bit the businessman as her Father. Bought a very nice home for her and her girls. Mary Lou, began to notice something quite interesting about her girls. Nellie Piper the eldest always was very interested it seemed to do just the opposites of what her Mother wanted for her to do, while her sisters Carrie Sunshine and Sara Star were always more than happy to do whatever to make there Mother happy and proud. Nellie Piper seemed to live in her own little world most of the time and more than happy to do so. This concerned Mary Lou a bit at first, until she realized the other two girls had singled her out, and bullied her to the point that Nellie Piper no longer wanted hardly a thing to do with her little sisters at all. Mary Lou could hardly blame her, and seeing Nellie Piper making plenty of friends and bringing them over. She thought things best left the way they were, for now. At times Mary Lou's super ultra conservative parents would drop by for visits with there beloved Grand Daughters. They always seemed overly concerned with poor little Nellie Piper, as they would always refer to her. They said, "with her willfulness she will be an old maid, alone, with a house full of cats, and no children of her own to love her." Well, being at the time Nellie Piper was just twelve years of age, this enraged Mary Lou who called her parents, " overly judgmental, having to beat out the Jones's sort of high up on there horses snobs! Then kicked them out of there house. They didn't see much of Grandma and Grandpa after this, unless the children requested to go over there and they were not aloud to stay long. Mary Lou said, "They will just fill all your heads full of unpractical and almost impossible things to be or become in your lives. To live the right way, you had to be who you had to be, not what others expected or forced upon you to be. When Nellie Pipers Mother talked this way it scared her to her core, she had no clue who she wanted to be. She just wanted to be allowed to be herself that was hard enough! The thought of becoming something else even more to her yes, it was absolutely unpractical and almost impossible to her. So, her Mothers words rang true for her and she did not want to live just like her Grandparents or anybody else for that matter.