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.

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.

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."

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.

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!