The Mark Grimm Family
Another year and a half, and here I am—back in the delivery room! I started in 1963 and here it is 1967—four years later. I was so, very excited because this was my girl… ready and waiting to come into this world.
As I was coming out from the anesthesia, I heard someone speaking, saying, “Four boys!” They had to be talking about someone else, I was sure, because I had never heard of anyone having four boys. My fourth child in four years had to be a girl.
As the voices continued, I wanted to go back to sleep. I could not be having four boys. I wanted to bury my head. Lo and behold, though, it was me—and I now had four boys.
My oldest son, Jack (who is now often called by his middle name, Larry, to distinguish him from his father), was 7 years old and in the second grade. What on earth!
I decided in my new role as the mother of four sons that I had been relatively tough with the first one, more loving with Jim and Steven… and now I was going to have fun. I didn’t care if I was a perfect parent—I just wanted to have fun. Mark was my baby and always would be, so we would just have fun. And we have!
Who Mark Is
Mark has always been the fun-loving one in our family of four sons. He was (and still is) very smart and always led his class, especially in math and technical areas.
Before he even started first grade, he would read notes to the class or “enlighten” the other students on the latest teacher messages. In kindergarten, for example, the teacher once caught Mark “reading” a note to the students from the principal. She said, “Come up here and read it,” thinking he was playing around. To her amazement, Mark actually read the note to the class.
He loved playing video games—hence his love of Pokémon today—but unfortunately no one wanted to play with him… because he always won.
Family & Life Today
Mark lives in Houston about 15 minutes from my house—in fact, he bought my old house and lives there with his wife, Julie.
Mark met Julie when she was 18 and she was 15, and after several years of trying to be with someone else, they finally gave in to their love for each other and have now been married for almost 10 years.
They are a joy to watch together. Mark still plays Pokémon, Julie works round the clock at the local Mazda dealership, and they still look great together—along with their children: Miranda (Mark’s), and Julie’s three: Brean, Brandi, and Dawson. Oh, and I almost forgot Kai and Kobra—the other loves of their lives.
Work, Passions & Joy
Mark did not go to college after high school, but due to the divorce and the fact that I was now living in Texas, he chose to move here instead. Soon he was seeing someone regularly and they got pregnant, and Mark got a job. It was a technical job in a field he enjoyed.
Then our first granddaughter—Miranda—was born. What a joy she was. She was the highlight of our lives and we looked forward to spending time with her.
Favorite Memories
One memory that took place in the midst of everything going on around us was the birth of Miranda. What an experience! When I heard that first cry, I knew the sound of my first grandchild. No other sound is sweeter or more loving.
I still love to hear the sound of my grandchildren today… no matter how it sounds. Mark’s daughter lives with me now, and whatever it sounds like, she is my first granddaughter—and I love to hear it.
Memory Spotlight
The memory of being present for my granddaughter’s birth—and later my grandson Jack’s birth, and then James’s birth to Jim and Anna— brings back the most beautiful, loving images and feelings of love, family, and future… and God, who created family.
I look forward to the day when we as families get together and learn to love one another in the true meaning of love.