Thanks mom!

[guidofatherof5]

Being almost 50(almost) I guess I've taken it for granted that I've always had a love for Garter snakes. Even after joining this forum I didn't give any thought to where it all began. Well, after my 5 wonderful kids left for the evening to be with there mother for awhile. I was looking around the livingroom and focused on a photo of my Mom. It's been almost 5 years since she passed, at the young age of 83. Thinking back I can remember her introducing me to my first Garter snake. She had a great love for all creatures. As just a kid and then a teenager she would let me have as many pets as I wanted. So long as I was responsible and took good care of them. This was back in the late 60's and 70's. The list of pets is long:
100+ dime store turtles.
all the frogs I could catch.
Salamanders
Newts
50+ Gater snakes.
chuckwalla
1 pair Golden Tagues
Nile monitor
Skinks
Horned toads
Toads
Box turtles
Wood turtle
Painted turtles
50lb Snapping turtle
Bull Snake
Boa
It was about a month before she past away when we were having one of those mom/son talks, that I asked her why she let me have so many pets. She simply answer. "If you were busy taking care of them, you weren't out getting into trouble"
I'm so blessed to have had the great loving mother that I had and I can only hope that I pass a small part of her legacy on to my children. These little creatures can help teach us more than we sometimes give them credit for. More than anything I wanted to post this as a tribute to my mom. Peggy Ann Gilfillan. I wish you could have met her.

[jitami]

What a great story. Thanks so much for sharing the memories of your mom. She sounds like a wonderful woman. I'm sorry she passed...

I grew up with a Gilfillan family in the Monterey/Salinas area of California. Dad was a substitute teacher, and their son, Billy, left for UC Santa Barbara in 87ish. Very nice family... must be genetic

[prattypus]

Your mom rocks. My dad is like that too. Nothing as exotic as yours, but Blue Front Amazons, farm ducks, oscars, and the like. He wasn't around too much when I was a tike, but what stayed was an affection for the critters.

[Garter_Gertie]

Guido... Gilfillian... Are there some up here in St. Paul? Oakland Cemetery? Or is it from Amador Township, Chisago County, I know the name. It's so familiar to me...

I like your mom. Neat lady and reminds me of my mother, who could play me like a violin. Hopefully your kids got to know her to a degree - less you'll have to imprint on them; a richer life your kids will have.

Sounds like you're kind'a down tonite - kids gone and remembering your mom because of being here. Please let that be a good thing. Try not to get down...

I really liked learning about your mom. Brings you into perspective more. THANKS! Great woman. Nice to get to know her.

mk

[guidofatherof5]

Dad was Air Force and was gone a lot. When he was there he really wasn't. Dad was fighting an addiction problem his whole life and left the raising for the kids to mom. He didn't like the critters, especially "snakes". Wished things had been different but also very glad I had the mom I did. My family was the flipside of a coin. I was like mom and my sister was like dad. She died at age 45 an alcoholic just like dad. It's a shame since she could have had a great life but instead she followed the path set by dad. Weird how that happens, when you can see the bad that's coming and choose it anyway.

[guidofatherof5]

Garter Gertie,
Guido's just a nickname. My real name is Steve. Where I got the nickname is a whole other story. I'm not even close to Italian. My parents came from Coatsville,PA. Relatives on the east and west coast areas. Mom was adopted so I never knew my grandparents on her side. Dad still has a couple of brothers living. Thanks for your comments. Mom was very cool.

[Garter_Gertie]

Hay, Guido! Mr. Snake Guy!

Do you need to talk to someone? Commiserate? Dump? Chat? Ask questions of - even if maybe they couldn't answer?

I'm here...

Send me a PM if you wanna just reminisce... And I'll send you my phone number.

Holidays coming up. Hard times. Been there, are there, doing that.

Just let me know.

[Garter_Gertie]

I LIKE Guido! I think ittiz a COOLER nickname. If you'd prefer to go by Steve, yust say the word and it will be done. Like if you're uncomfortable using Guido...

But then I have teo ask, why did you use it to begin with?

ENKNEEWEIGH, let me know if you need a shoulder or an ear.

Steve...

[guidofatherof5]

Well, since you asked. Guido was the nickname given to me by my Sgt. when I worked the midnite shift on the Sheriff's Dept. I was given that name for my ability to find trouble. "The Pott. Co. Hitman" Guido for short. It stuck like epoxy. When I started teaching the D.A.R.E. program(19 years ago) I took it into the classroom and my students(over 7,000+ strong) loved it. I've always told them I hope I'm the only Guido they'll ever have to know. Thanks for the shoulder offer. It's very quiet here without my 5. Thank goodness it's only for a short time.
I don't look at these times as bad. It feels good to look at the things that mold us and shape us. I've been sent many guardian angels in my life and it's nice to think about them from time to time. For without them, my life would have taken a much different path.
Lots of rollover minutes and free long distance 402-319-3769. Thanks

[Snake lover 3-25]

what a good story your mom sounds like she was a wonderful person thanks for sharing that