Here is the group around the table just prior to our feasting on ribs in golden mushroom soup, mashed potatoes, and Italian mixed veggies. Mint chocolate chip cake for dessert, the icing of which matched Brenda's top! From left is Justin, Robin C., Marcus and his grandma, Betty, and Brenda.
Justin worked with these ladies plus has known Brenda and Betty for over half his life. Betty came to work for us when Timmy was a baby. As we celebrated Betty's birthday this evening, Justin recalled Betty's last day working for Rosewood was on her birthday 5 years earlier. She has not been working since!
Using grants and student loans, Betty has gone back to school to earn a degree in business administration. Having already earned her AA, she is pressing on to her BA, though she has concerns about being hired anywhere after she succeeds, due to her age.
Brenda is a bit older than Betty but has taken on the task of helping to raise her two granddaughters. One is in junior high and the other in elementary school. Due to Brenda's health problems, she does not care to drive (sudden onset vertigo) so the girls must either walk to school for the little one, or take the bus to middle school.
Their auntie helps out with afterschool activities, to give the girls some 'normal' in their lives such as dance class and gymnastics. I give "Mommy Dearest", as she calls herself, a lot of credit. She used to describe herself as a cross between June Cleaver and Mommy Dearest!!! Justin calls her Auntie Brenda and I call her friend!
Robin actually came to work for 'my' company after I had left but we met and became friends after being laid off. She said she remembered me from the Hallmark Store near Publix, because of my interesting last name. She worked there prior to Rosewood. She also remembers all the people coming in to buy sympanthy cards in January of 2001. Robin and Betty were a dynamic duo back in the day and will hopefully remain so for a long time to come.
Brenda works for one of our then competitors, as does Jimmie and did Troy. I at least get to see Brenda on a monthly basis. She brags about our being the queens of coupons, at least we are for Steak 'n Shake! We let too much time go by between our visits with the others and that simply must change!
