I was a military brat and lived all over the US - Nebraska, Maryland, California, Virginia, Hawaii, and Utah.  I attended school in all those states.  I graduated from High School: 1972 from Radford High School in Honolulu, Hawaii.  I attended High School at York High School in Yorktown, Virginia.  I was married in Hawaii after one year of college at The University of Hawaii, and moved to Ogden, Utah.  My husband attended Weber State College (now University), graduating in 1974.  We lived in Clearfield, Utah the second and third years there.  His fourth year there, we moved to Layton, Utah where he became a police officer and I was a stay-at-home mom.  He retired after 20 years and sells carpet and flooring with his nephews.

After a couple of children and years, I began working at Mervyn's Department Store.  I worked there for 8 1/2 years.  I moved from alterations to the Business office.  I went to work for the school district for 6 years at an elementary school teaching computers to children grades K-6.  I transferred to the District Office to the Planning Department where I learned to us GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to make maps on the computer. During this time, I completed my degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, and Office Technologies.  I learned to use the ARCGis program and have learned how to analyze data for the department and district. 

My two sons married Rebecca and Rebekah so we now have two Becca Gibbons (one spells it Beka Gibbons).  Randy and Becca have 3 sons and live in Dallas Texas.  Randy works for Southwest Airlines doing websites and data analysis.  Chris and Beka live in Lehi Utah with one so and another due in August.

I am an avid reader, write poety and other things, have opions about everything, love quilting, and am learning more about genealogy.  I would love to be a gardener, but hate the heat and cold.  I am learning to be healthier, since I have spent most of my adult years sick or hurt.

I will be 55 years old in August, am a Leo, and will not be able to retire for at least 5 years.

I have written, but not published a book about my husband going to prison.

How did you get to where you are now?

I believe that all of my medical trials have taught me to be stronger and to think of what others are going through.  I used to just jump in and help people, but I understand why people are reluctant to ask for, and receive help from others. 

I believe that all my reading and medical issues have allowed me to learn a lot about many different medical issues and I feel I can tell people what type of doctor they need to go to.

Raising two boys has taught me how to be a mother of sons, but I still haven't figured out girls.   I LOVE being a grandmother!

I still have opionons about everything, but those who know me, know that I don't expect them to follow my advise.  I believe that people should be armed with the facts and all decisions should be theirs.

How do you see yourself differently now than you did 10 years ago?

I believe that I am more laid-back in my approach to all aspects of life except my health.  I am a strong avocate for my own rights as a patient and my right to make my own decisions.

I used to "allow" verbal and mental abuse from people, but I stand up for myself now.  I value myself more and am more apt to tell people what I want - not just go along with what others want.  I voice my opions rather than keeping them to myself.

I am more positive in my outlook and try to find the "silver lining" - no matter how dark the storm clouds are.

Reading and education have been stongly persued, so I am much smarter.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Retired, traveling, thinner, healthier, and hopefully, much smarter and wiser.

Dear Jan,

Always remember that "And it came to pass;" it didn't come to stay.  Your childhood is preparing you for some really hard trials in the future, but YOU CAN DO IT ONE "BITE" AT A TIME.  Think of eating the elephant and handle what you can, take a break and read a silly book, then handle some more.  There is nothing you can't do or achieve.  Hang in there, perservere, and get your college education.  Always smile and eventually you will have something to smile about.  Not everything makes sense when it's happening, but when you look back, you will find that it all is for your own good and it will make you stronger and better.  Above all else, find that silver lining in every dark cloud.  It's always there, although it may be hard to find sometimes.  You are strong.