I was born just after WWII in Oakland, Californina to Herbert and Mayme. They divorced when I was just over the age of 2. At that time my dad went to sea as a Merchant Marine where he remained all of my formative years. My mom raised my sister and me working as a grocery clerk. I attended Emerson Elementry, Willard Junior and Berkeley High School in Berkeley, California &  I graduated 1964.

My up bringing was difficult because my mother remarried twice then became a functional alcoholic. She was wonderful during her working hours, but once she was home the drinking started. She was a mean drunk. Life was miserable except for those moments when I would turn on the radio or listen to my favorite records; Johnny Mathis, Ricky Nelson, The Big Bopper, Dion and so many of the like filled my world with hope. Those artists and that music helped me to escape the horror going on within my so called home.

I married for the first time at the tender age of 18. My beautiful son was born in 1965. He was and continues to be the highlight of my life. The marriage ended in divorce when Dale, my son was 2. I remarried four times more, always searching for love in all the wrong places.

It took all my life until just recently to realize the love I was so desperatly seeking was right inside of me.

I spent 16 years (from 1984-2000) in Northern Virginia, specifically Arlington. For the most part I enjoyed those years, met some great people. I liked living there and adored the  country side of that beautiful state.

But there was something missing; it was my son and two grandsons. In September of 2000 I returned to Sebastopol, Northern California to begin life anew with my dad. That lasted about 9 months. Just like a birth I was ready to get out on my own.

One day Devodale said "Mom, you would make
a good DJ!" I laughed at the idea. He kept on telling me that
becoming a DJ would be good for me. I was in a self induced
state of withdrawal from life; on alcohol, pot, prescription
anti-depressants and sleeping pills. How in the world was I ever
going to become what he suggested? I sought spiritual
counseling, found my higher power and by golly I am now drug free.

The folks involved here at 'The Mix' have become good friends. They have helped me become the person I am today, out of my shell, putting one foot in front of the other discovering how talented I am. I've found that I have a knack for communication & know good music which I enjoy sharing with others.

So, for anyone out there who finds themselves where I once was
you can see it is possible for positive changes in your life.

Update:

As life would have it I fell off the wagon for several months. I was miserable knowing how really wonderful it was to be clean. In those months I kept feeling this is wrong and I would pray & pray & pray . . . . Please give me the strength to capture what I once had dear lord. 

In January of 2012 I finally found my way again. 

So to anyone who reads this it is possible to pick yourself up by your boot straps, dust yourself off to carry on.

There is an art to living.

One cannot obtain happiness everyday, BUT one can have the where with all to pray for guideness and strength.

This takes FAITH.

KK