My parents

This is day 3 of this 30 day challenge and I am to talk about my parents. I grew up in a large Catholic family of 11 kids. They have 40 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. They were married for 36 years before divorcing. My dad was not the best of fathers or husbands but he did the best with what he knew. My mom retreated into herself during those difficult years of marriage. However after the divorce they continued to maintain a friendly relationship and I truly believe that is because my mom is a gracious forgiving woman. She did not want us kids to have to deal with the who do we invite for family gatherings.



My dad Morris Courtright Jr was born in Saginaw MI May 2, 1930 and died in Scottsdale AZ May 30, 2010. 8 of us kids were gathered around him along with spouses and some children singing The Lord Is My Shepard when he died. He wore many hats in his many years of life. Retired Major in the Air Force working space industry on the Gemini, Mercury and Apollo programs. He never really retired and he was an electrical engineer, a salesman, a State Representative, Civil Air Patrol and a Priest. He also spent many decades researching our family ancestors on both his and my mom's side. It is great the history of my family. His mom was a Gould, related to the tycoon Jay Gould. A many times removed cousin married James Monroe. We have had sheriffs and horse thieves in our past. He was a highly intelligent man and led such an amazing life and it was great to talk to him. He is missed by all his family.



My mom Phyllis Joann Jones Courtright was born in Lima OH Aug 6, 1928. She lives in Arizona in a big rambling house. She was a Registered Nurse for 40+ years. She always worked the graveyard shift. She said she loved that shift because it was quieter and less doctors, etc around. She also worked it so she could be home during the day for us kids, sleeping while we were in school. She is a avid reader and does crossword puzzles in pen! She loves action movies like the Die Hard series. She remembers every birthday and every anniversary including all grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is a faithful woman who has a servants heart She has always been there for each of her children. She is a wonderful, caring and awesome woman.

I am blessed to have the parents I had even though my childhood was not always the happiest. My past is a part of who I am today as a woman.