Chapter 8: Santa Maria, California (1968-1970)

When Nana was in high school, her family moved again! At first she was upset with her parents for moving, but she quickly forgave them when she saw how much fun California was. Also, she was given a horse, which she loved to ride with Grandpa and Aunt Marilyn. One night, she even got to go for a moonlight ride on the beach with Grandpa! These were big years the family. Uncle Brad finished high school, left for BYU and got his mission call. Nana also finished high school--the last three months she lived with friends while the rest of the family left to Germany. Aunt Marilyn was involved with student government, band, and ballet. Grandma encouraged her children to try out for things at school. Uncle Brad gave a speech to try out for a student body office and he accidentally ended it like a talk in Church, and that was funny to the whole family. But he won! He said that Grandma's encouragement really helped him in these last years at home before he left for school and a mission. Grandma wrote to her parents that she now understood how hard it really was to have kids leave home. Through all the changes, Grandma was her children's constant. Nana described her as being "like a rock in a moving river--steady and true." When changes came to her life and her kids' lives, she provided the sameness. She loved to celebrate big occasions, and she and Grandpa made sure they kept up the traditions for the family from year to year. To Discuss: When changes come into your life, what are some ways to cope with them? How can we help others deal with change?