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Shirley Simons, my grandmother, classified one of her most important life events to be the marriage of her and my papa (1971). Four years ago they celebrated 50 years of marriage, which my grandmother classified as a huge milestone.

Alongside this, the birth of both of her children. My Uncle Jay first being born in 1981, then my mother being born in 1983.

Lastly, the birth of her grandchildren. I was the first born in 2004. My younger cousins were born in 2011 and 2014. Then, the last grandchild being born in 2018.

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One of Shirley's most impactful stories was watching her first grandchild be born (me). She was invited into the room by my mother and father for moral support. She had stated that she stood at the end of the hospital bed and watched it all occur. "That was one of the most life changing things I have ever witnessed", she discussed.

While the birth was happening, Shirley said that the nurse came over to give my father smelling salts because he was quite queasy. "Your poor father couldn't believe what he was seeing and damn near passed out on us!" she said.

Shirley felt so honored to witness such a beautiful moment in her daughter and son-in-law's life.

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Shirley gave me two pieces of advice that she would give to a younger individual:

1. "Take each day as it comes."

2. "Do not compare your life to anyone else's. It's not all butterflies and rainbows. We all have issues."

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The assassination of President Kennedy was one of the most memorable news stories that Shirley remembers. She discussed how scared she and her family felt hearing about the assassination of their president. This was one historical moment she will never forget.

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November 22, 1963: Death of the President | JFK Library

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Although he had not formally announced his candidacy, it was clear that JFK was going to run and he seemed confident—though not over-confident— about his chances for re-election. At the end of September, the President traveled west speaking in nine different states in less than a week. While the tri…

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Shirley stated that the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. was devastating news to hear. Yet another prominent public figure had been assassinated. This was a time in history that will always reside within her.

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This Day in History: The Assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

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The assassination of Bobby Kennedy was the third death of a large public figure over 5 years. Shirley described this to be a scary time in America. She discussed with me that hearing about all three of the assassinations was something she has not forgotten. She also stated that she could not believe that two of the Kennedy brothers had been assassinated due to being public political figures.

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Robert F. Kennedy was fatally shot on 5 June 1968, in Los Angeles, California. He died the following day.

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Shirley grew up in the 50s and 60s in a small town in Northern California. This was the kind of town where everyone knew everyone. "Standards were so different then", she states.

Shirley described the 60s and 70s to be a "man's society", discussing how there were very little opportunities for women in the workplace. Women were mainly receptionists, teachers, and nurses. She stated how "you could not climb up the corporate ladder". There were zero positions for women in the government as well.

She discussed how having a child out of wedlock is a lot different now than it was back then. "It was frowned upon if you had a child before getting married". Shirley told me that they had homes called "homes for girls" where pregnant women had been sent off to when they were pregnant out of wedlock. At those homes they could decide if they would like to put the child up for adoption or keep their baby. Now, society if much more open regarding having children before marriage.

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Shirley has an older sister, Judy, who was significantly older than her. Shirley discussed with me how she vividly remembers listening to The Beach Boys because her older sister listened to them.

She described The Beach Boys music to be very "carefree" and "mood boosting". Shirley loved the entire beach scene that they invoked as well. She stated that she "felt like a beach bum" while listening to their music!

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Pictured: Shirley, her husband Steve, and two grandchildren.

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Shirley sent this photo over to me due to the fact that it is her phone lock screen. She told me it is one of her favorite photos she has on her iPhone.

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Pictured: Steve, Shirley's husband, on the left. Shirley on the right. 

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Shirley sent me this beautiful photo of her and her husband. She told me she doesn't have many photos of her husband smiling... so she wanted this to be included. They have been together 54 years!