October 21, 1974

Kerry B Etheridge

July 7, 1951 - October 21, 1974

Kerry - age 13

Today is the anniversary of the day my biological father passed away.   Still 39 years later, the struggle is real!   There is a hole in my heart that I will never understand.  I will never forgive Cancer for ripping him from my family, but I will always lean on God to get through each day without him. Forever grateful to my step dad for filling the role that was robbed from us, I lived a very full, somewhat normal (ha) life.

I yearn to know what his hopes and dreams were, and what he might look like today.  I wish to know how he would interact with my kids and if he would think I was doing a good job raising them to his satisfaction.  What would be his favorite food?  Would he ever call to just say hi?  Would he remember my birthday?  Would he be in the stadium cheering Cole to victory or would he be seated on the front row in the auditorium beaming at Kerri and Kadi during their plays? 

I do know much about him from other people, especially my grandmother.  However, I wish to know his inner thoughts.  What did he think of cancer?  Was he mad?  Did he accept it?  I just get so mad.

Yep, the struggle is real. 

I have in my possession a photocopy of a writing assignment in his own handwriting, and it is one of my prize possessions that I hold so close.   MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY was an assignment that my grandmother saved and from reading it, I assume he had questions that prompted him in what to write.  When I read it, year to year on this day, sometimes I cry, but sometimes I laugh.  Most of all, I just enjoy.

Kerry Etheridge

My Autobiography

I was born in the General Hospital in Winnfield on July 7, 1951.  I weighed in at 10lb. 6 oz. and 23 in. long.  My first money was a dollar bill from my great aunt and kept it in a bank given to me by my grandmother.

I liked to play cowboys with my brother in the woods.  I would romp with the dogs in the backyard.  My first long trip was to Houston when 3 months old.  I could also do pushups when 3 mo. Old.  I cut first tooth when 4 mo. Old.

I attended the first grade at Winnfield Elementary School under Mrs. Sowers in 1957.  I had Mrs. Jackson in the second.  In the third I had Mrs. Dufresne and we drew all the time.  I had Mrs. Harrel in the fourth and collected bird nests.  In the fifth, I had Mrs. Nugent and Mrs. Teddle in the sixth.  In the seventh, I had two teachers.  I had Mrs. Terrill until she started teaching 8^th grade math.  Then I had Mrs. Bowen.  I have always liked Math and English sort of.  I’ve never liked History and Gov., and I don’t especially like science.

In my family there are four people; my brother, Bonner, 16; my sister, Denise, 10; myself, 13; and my mother.  My father died in June of 1962.  One way I would like my home changed is to have my father back.  I like to have friends to come over, but I don’t really entertain them.

I am a member of the First Baptist Church, and I go most every Sunday. I like to go to study the Bible and worship God.

I don’t like to be around people who laugh all the time, but I don’t like to be around people who don’t laugh at all.  I don’t really know who I look up to.  But I do like people who know about the things I like, such as hunting, fishing and mechanicing.

I like to tinker with engines and to hunt and fish best.  In the last year, I’ve been hanging around Cleo Austins junkyard.  He is a mechanic, a welder, and different things.  Since I’ve been hanging around there, I’ve grown to like mechanicing.  I like to work with tools and to fix things.  I don’t really have any hobby.  I’ve been to Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, Ark., Oklahoma, Texas, Miss., Alabama, and Louisiana.

I would like to be a mechanic.  I don’t know if my mother likes the idea.  I will go to trade school. 

I don’t have a favorite movie star, radio star, tv star, athlete or teacher.  I am scared that when I do something I’m not supposed to, I will get in trouble.  I haven’t tried to overcome any fears.

One thing I wonder about is the way outerspace goes on and has no end.  I also wonder about blowing glass and the way its formed.  Another things I wonder about is how carpenters drive nails in concrete.

Three things I would wish for are to have a motorcycle, a set of craftsman wrenches, and to have my father back.