February 22nd 1956

On February 22nd, 1956 in Southern California a little girl was born. To Gloria Ann (18yrs) and Dexter Lane Gillum (19yrs). They didn't have much in life didn't own a car or a home and was lucky to have a job. They named her Atonda Sue she thrived and grew and as life passed she experienced many things. Her parents were able to improve their life and in the 60's started their own construction trucking business (Gillum's Trucking) and life for a few years was financially peaceful. At the age of 16 she asked her parents to send her to a private Bible School and they did. She enjoyed 2 years there before graduating at 18 yrs from High School, but while there she found the love of her life. She never attended college but she did finally after 2yrs of graduating High School  achieve her MRS. degree and married David James an Englishman she was 20yrs in 1976. From that point life really changed for her. Two yrs later at 22yrs She gave birth to her first child a beautiful little girl (Natassja Raylene) which was a precious joy. Four years later David transplanted her and Natassja to the West Midlands of England to a City called Wolverhampton where for one year we lived with his dad Fredrick James it was a real life change, learning the way of life and the language, yes I said language there is a great difference. Two years after moving to The United Kingdom at the age of 27yrs she gave birth to a bouncing baby boy (Paul James) a second precious joy, her family was complete. Life in England was difficult as the economy was slow and David couldn't keep a job so after five years the decision was made to return to California and start anew she was 31yrs, so once again we uprooted our family and returned. by this time David had become an ordained minister and he was approached by a pastor in California to assist him which he took the position. Atonda finally thought her days of moving was over but that was not to be. Three years later we moved to a small town not far from San Francisco to Pastor a small church. Awe, finally a lasting place of refuge? But once again after 14 years and at the age of 48  life changed again. David said it's time to move so here we are in Arkansas 1700 miles from my  Daughter and her family and 100 miles from my Son and his family. It gets very lonesome with David gone all day to work and then with all the time he must give to the church. Life is very different now that I'm an empty Nestor and so I am trying to learn new skills and become more self motivated. Today I have turned 56 that's not old I'm just a mid lifer with no crisis just a determination to make something of these years. Move over world Atonda Sue is coming Thru.

Below are the gifts I received.
I also received 3 beautiful cards one from my best friend in California, one from my Mother n law and one from my Son and his family

Thank you all for you Love.

The Tea cup my husband gave me
English Bone China by Aynsley

The gift from my Mother n law
Tea Towel , Key Chain, a little Sheep
and a wallet all souvenirs from
Wolverhampton England