Ray and Melissa live in the beautiful foothills of the great Smoky Mountains in Blairsville, Georgia. We have been married now going on 48 years. Has our life been perfect? Far from it, it is more liken to a roller coaster ride. But from this side looking back its been quite an adventure. The plan is to renew our wedding vows on our 50th Anniversary and finally get that honeymoon that we never got. The life and times of Mel and Ray Surviving Life's Lessons I wonder sometimes who would read the "The Story of Us?" I know many would benefit from it if they did. Those couples who thought they were ready to throw in the towel, perhaps they might say "Well, if Ray and Melissa made it with all their wrenches thrown in, then surely we can!" Or perhaps those who truly had such a blissful life that it bordered on mundane so they read it and lived vicariously through us. Or perhaps those who breathe a sigh of relief that their life was not so 'eventful.' I'm sure there are those who know us but not too well, who will read in disbelief that it was such a roller coaster ride at times. But for those most dear to us, our families and especially our kids, grands and great grands to relive or for some, hear about it for the first time we leave our memories for them. Family is a treasure and we love ours to the moon and back!
About the Author: I can sum it up pretty much in a nutshell. I've been a Christian most all of my life. Since my walk with the Lord is my highest priority, that is what is first and foremost to mention. All else, family, friends, and the things I like, they all come second. But since that isn't much to go on, here's me. I grew up in the country, outside of Belleville, Michigan on a small farm. We mostly had horses and dogs. We grew up in a strict Christian home where my Mom "ruled the roost." Work hard, keep your nose clean and use good common sense was the better part of our upbringing. My brother and I loved going to horse shows in the summer, then sledding and ice skating in the winter, but that all seems a lifetime ago. I got married at age sixteen. I had my first child at seventeen and my second child at twenty-one. Yep, I was a child raising children. Oft times I prayed, "God please protect them from my stupidity." I am creative by nature which has led me into some of my jobs down through the years. Other jobs I worked at were waitressing to put food on the table early on. At the time, it didn't seem like much of a job but what I didn't realize then was it was honing my skills at becoming successful in sales with my businesses later on. There were times in my life that weren't easy nor am I proud of but when you have babies to feed... well you're going to do what it takes. At this point in my life I've lived out most of my years and that's okay. We've had a good life. I have a wonderful husband, Ray, who is an amazing 4 Christian that I love with all my heart. We've been blessed with two great kids, seven beautiful grandkids, and so far, three great grandkids but they just keep coming and every one of them are so very special. Now that we're retired we still stay busy but it's less stressful since we don't have businesses to run. Praise God!!! We've done alright, but it's really a lot of stress when you're in business for yourself. So that's about it. We are still in love after all these years and if God sees fit to see us through till the next three years, our plan is to renew our vows on our 50th Anniversary and take all the kids with us on a cruise to celebrate. I haven't told Ray that yet but that's my plan.