I'm outgoing, and I love children. Teaching is a passion for me. I love when a child's face lights up when they get what they are learning, and I feel an accomplishment. I'm kind, caring and generous always wanting to help out someone in need. I put others before myself. Neglecting my own needs when someone else seems worse off than I am. If a child needs something I'll use my own money to get it for them if their parents can't afford to be able to.

[smear:#f81b09]Positive Traits:[/smear:#f0e611:0]
1)Gentle: Not harsh, brusque, or violent.
2)Generous: Sharing whenever doing so might help.
3)Friendly: Showing friendship; acting in a way that befits a friend.
4)Wholesome: Being of high moral fiber; having a good influence on others.
5)Easygoing: Casual in manner and mindset.
6)Creative: Having the power or inclination to bring new things into existence.

[smear:#f0e611]Negative Traits:[/smear:#f81b09:0]
1)Stubborn: Unyielding or obstinate.
2)Verbose: Wordy; inclined to say more than is needed.
3)Perfectionist: Perceiving anything less than perfection as failure.
4)Oversensitive: Overly perceptive to emotion; easily hurt by external influences.
5)Fussy: Needing or applying too much attention to detail.
6)Gullible: Easily misled or duped.

My parents were born in Tucson, Arizona and grew up there. They were close before they ever started school, with their fathers both working on the Santa Catalina Mountain Ranch owned by my grandparents. My mother helped out in her family store that her mother ran in Tucson while my father followed in his father's footsteps working on the Santa Catalina Mountain Ranch. He was a cowboy who hated having to go into Tucson for anything. They fell in love over the years there. My older brothers Beau and Grant, twins, were born a couple of years after my parents graduated from high school. They were three when I was born on a cold winter day. A beautiful snow was covering the countryside with large flurries coming down. I was born at home with the help of a midwife and the other mothers whose husbands worked on the ranch.

I was the same age as Rafferty Matheson, and I grew up with him and Declan causing all kinds of trouble throughout the ranch when they would come out. My older brothers ran with the older Matheson brothers. I was a very mischievous child getting into things that I shouldn't be, and dragging the Matheson boys into my schemes with me. There were certain spots of the ranch that we weren't allowed to ride into because of the dangers until we were older. Of course I didn't listen, and I wanted to go to the waterfall up the mountain. Of course there was a dare in it from the older boys. Rafferty and I were seven and Declan a year younger. We were only halfway there when a scream of horrific sound rang through the mountain side. Our horses spooked, and we were bucked off. I was knocked unconscious hitting my head on something. Of course our horses had taken off heading back to the stables.

When I came to, I was in pain. Realizing my arm was broken and my head was killing me. Lifting my good arm up and touching the back of my head there was blood on my hand. I found the boys getting them awake, and we took stock of what was broken and what wasn't. Declan had a broken leg so there was no way we were going to be able to walk back. We also heard that horrific scream again. We sat there huddled in fear wondering at what it could be. No idea how long we had been out, we didn't even know if there was going to be a search party looking for us anytime soon or not. As time went by and it was starting to grow dark out the horrific screams were getting closer and more often. We were under an outcropping of the mountain where we had been able to drag Declan who cried out in pain the whole time to what little shelter it was. It sounded like something falling off the rock cropping. As we watched, pebbles were falling from up above. Suddenly a shot rang out and another along with our screams of fear as two large shadows fell from the top of the outcropping. In front of us lay two dead mountain lions.

Our fathers were suddenly there and reassuring us that we were going to be fine. One of the men there had gone to school to be a doctor and he set Declan's leg. I remember my dad picking me up and him handing me to someone who let him mount his horse, before handing me up to him. I felt safe in his arms and was lulled to sleep from the rocking motion of the horse going down the mountain. I woke up the next day in my own bed. I was in pain, but still though I was more than shaken from what we had gone through. My older brothers were peeking their heads in the door and let me know they and the older Matheson boys were in trouble for daring us. The truth had been gotten out of the older boys when our horses came running back into the stables without us. My brothers did feel bad as did the older Matheson boys so we couldn't stay upset with them for long. Besides it was us who had accepted the dare in the first place. That probably wasn't the worst thing we got into either, but it was definitely memorable.

When we were a bit older our parents took our older brothers to something going on in town. That was the day that we accidently let the bull loose. Almost getting trampled ourselves in the process. By the time the parents that had gone to town got home with the older kids we knew we were in trouble hearing the father's cussing. I could have swore my mother was laughing though. I know that next spring there were double the number of calves then there usually were. Never figured out why though till I grew old enough to understand. After that with the Matheson boys' dad, busy with club life, they hardly got out to the ranch. So it was a bit boring.

School was fun messing around with them. Though I think their dad and my parents were getting tired of getting called to the school when we would get into trouble. We were sorta in a feud with two other boys. One of the times I really got into trouble when I dumped a whole jar of yellow paint over his head. He shouldn't have been messing with Princeton who was younger than us. I found him crying and got revenge for it. He made me promise not to tell his older brothers. Of course I crossed my fingers as I said I would since I couldn't keep anything from Rafferty and Declan. They got a few hits in on the boy in the next few days warning him not to mess with their little brother.

The only girls that I was friends with were Bailee Cahill, and the Matheson girls. Bailee came out quite often to ride horses with me, and we became best friends. She was best friends with Shea Matheson too. I couldn't believe it when she and Shea started dating. I didn't understand it at all. Not till I was in junior high and Rafferty asked me to our first junior high dance. Of course it more or less turned into a double date. It was a fun night and it stayed a fond memory with me.

Living on a horse ranch I learned how to ride when I was young, and as I grew older how to train them. Starting 4-H when I turned seven and showing in 4-H shows as well as paint and quarter horse shows. My older brothers did the same, and we enjoyed sharing the experiences together as we grew up. There was a room in our barn that rapidly filled up with trophies and ribbons from over the years. Trail was always my favorite part of showing horses.

I also went out for sports growing up. Softball was always fun. Volleyball I loved spiking the ball and getting points. Basketball I learned to be really aggressive. I hated just running though so I didn't go out for track. After basketball season I focused more on training horses and all. Oh I did rodeo during the summer too running barrels and poles. I got Bailee into the rodeo too. My older brothers were more daring and did Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Team Roping, Bull Riding, and Steer Roping.

During junior high I realized I liked both Rafferty and Declan, and somehow ended up dating both of them to my confusion. Though most of the time it ended up with the three of us hanging out together, and other times Shea and Bailee would be there too. My freshman year tragedy hit, and I realized which of my best friends I loved more than just as a friend. The day was just another ordinary day. My older brothers were prospecting to the Sons now, and were actually home for the night. Our family was enjoying sitting around the supper table laughing and talking. A memory that is branded into my memory as it was the last time for us doing so.

It was around eight and we had started a game of Harry Potter Clue laughing and having fun. One of the hired hands ran in yelling fire. My father and brothers jumped up and ran to help. My mother close on their heels. I had sat there frozen for a few moments, before jumping up as well and running out back. To my shock half the mountain was on fire. With it being night and the hands settling down they hadn't realized anything was wrong till the horses started raising a ruckus. The fire had grown nearer and the hay barn was ablaze getting closer to one of the horse barns.

I ran to help and it was a while later when all the horses were out of the barns, and running wild around the ranch trying to get away from the rapidly approaching fire. My father and brothers had gone farther out trying to help fight the fire that firemen from around the county were out here fighting by now. The Sons had all shown up too and were helping fight the fire. When the fire turned directions when a slight wind came out of nowhere it headed towards where the fuel tank was. Dad and my brothers were trying to stop the fire, and mom had run in to help them.

I'd been finishing up getting the rest of the animals set free like the chickens and ducks. I whirled around hearing the explosion, and gaped seeing the fuel tank had exploded. The area around it ablaze with fire. With a scream I ran in that direction, but Rafferty caught me. He held me tight as I fought to get away hitting and kicking at him. He just held me there till I broke down sobbing in his arms. Rafferty was the one who had sought me out when the Mathesons showed up to help. I hadn’t even seen Declan yet. Rafferty was telling me he wasn’t going to let me go. That he loved me, and the blackness from the overwhelming agony inside of me.

When I woke up from the nightmare I was having I was screaming. Rafferty was right there trying to calm me. It took me a while to calm down as it was penetrating that it wasn’t a nightmare I had been having. When I calmed down I realized I was in his bedroom at his family home. He reassured me that he was there for me, and he wasn’t going anywhere. It was a couple of days before I faced anyone, but for Rafferty. Even Declan had stayed away which sorta hurt, but it was the least of my worries with the pain I felt for losing my parents and older brothers.

The next week went by in a blur. Rafferty was there with me through everything. I don’t remember really planning anything for the funeral realizing that Rafferty and his family had done everything. I do remember breaking down at the funeral and the family cemetery, my sobs having rung out through the church, and then at the family cemetery. The family cemetery was on the ranch where generations back all the way to my great grandfather went back.

It was after the graveside service that I told Rafferty I wanted to see what was left of the ranch. He asked if I was sure, and I was scared of how bad it was. Nothing could be worse than losing my family though. His family rode up to the house with us. Well what was left of the house. All the barns were gone. I got off the back of Rafferty’s bike taking my helmet off as tears swarmed down my cheeks as I saw it was all gone.

As I stood there a car drove up, and I heard Rafferty ’s dad yelling at whoever it was. I was so overwhelmed with what had happened it wasn’t even penetrating that it was Social Services. What did catch my attention was an old man coming out from the debris of the old homestead. Even from where I was I could see the tears on his face. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him. After staring at the debris for a few moments he turned, and our eyes met. He’d been at the funeral, but I had no idea who he was. Walking towards us he ate up the distance quickly. From his gait and his demeanor you could tell he was a cowboy. For a few moments my breath caught the closer he came as he looked just like my grandfather who had died about five years before in a rodeo accident.

Without even bothering to wipe the tears away on his cheeks he walked up to Chase Matheson and the people he was arguing with. I didn’t hear what was said, but Chase was a bit shocked hearing the man. Whatever he had said had shut the people up so they weren’t arguing any longer. He showed them some papers he had pulled out of an inside pocket on his jean jacket he was wearing. Pickups were pulling in then, and I wondered what was going on. Out of the pickups came the hired hands that had survived. What were they doing here I wondered.

The man turned towards me, and walked up to me. His hand reached out and cupped my cheek. “Keep that chin up girly! You're from a long line of Gooseberries. You're not alone. My grandsons and I are here now. I got on the road as soon as Maybelle called, and told me what had happened.” I blinked wondering who he was. Maybelle I knew. Her husband had been the Foreman of the ranch for years when I was growing up, and before. He’d finally retired. “Who are you?” I asked him.

A smile appeared on the man’s worn and weathered face. “I’m your great Uncle Trenton Gooseberry. Your grandfather’s baby brother.” He stated, and I remembered where I recognized him from. The family pictures that used to hang in the hallway. “This ranch has always stayed with the eldest son and his line of family. It will stay that way. We are going to rebuild. There are some things that can’t be replaced, and never will be.” He pulled his hand away, and held it out. A boy around my age appeared beside me and handed a gift back to Trenton, who in turn handed it to me.

Rafferty was still holding me to him, giving me comfort and support. I looked between the gift back, and my great uncle, before taking the bag. Reaching in, I pulled out a framed picture of my family. One that had only been taken a month before after the last rodeo of the summer. “Your father sent that to me bragging about the win that your brothers had beating one of my old records.” He said as I looked at him in wonder. I remember my dad mentioning his Uncle Trent once in a while. He’d been more my dad’s age, being the baby of the family. I didn’t remember ever meeting him though. There was a family album in the bag as well.

“The album is full of your family photos over the years. So look at it when you feel up to it sweetheart.” Uncle Trent had said. “As your only living relative of age I’ve gotten with the lawyers having taken custody of you. You're welcome to stay at the Mathesons for a while where I know you’ll be safe. As I’ve been advised by Maybelle. I still have my doubts though.” His eyes narrowed looking at Rafferty. He heard some laughs from behind him from Rafferty’s family. “Or Maybelle says she has a room for you till we can get the house rebuilt.” She frowned slightly hearing him noticing the hired hands already loading debris on trailers getting to work.

Biting my lip I looked around at what used to be home. She’d stayed with Maybelle before when she had broken her arm, and needed help around the house. She’d enjoyed the time with her, but she didn’t feel like being away from Rafferty right now. “I want to stay with Rafferty if it’s alright with the Mathesons.” I spoke up finally. I heard his dad say that was more than fine. I looked at the boys who were standing there. The oldest one looked around my brother's age, and they were like stair steps in their height. You could see they were Gooseberries as our genes ran deep.

My great uncle Trenton introduced me to his grandsons. Foster, Madden, Rhodes, Valiant, Flint, and Creed Gooseberry. I didn’t know what to say, and I finally said Hi as they nodded at me. To say it was awkward was an understatement. In the weeks that followed it felt like I was in a bad dream. I didn’t go back out to the ranch for a couple of weeks. When I did I was shocked at all the debris having been picked up, and frames of buildings being put up. The Mathesons had been coming out and helping as well as the sons. Rafferty had brought me out, and I started helping as well. I fell into a routine helping, getting to know my cousins that I had never met before.

A couple of months later Rafferty lost his father when he was shot by a Mayan. Bailee’s father and brother had been killed too. It was more heartbreak to go through again. I stayed by Rafferty ’s side supporting him just as he had for me. A few more months passed by, and the house had been rebuilt out at the ranch. I moved in with my great uncle and cousins. Things were definitely different, but the layout of it was pretty much the same. My great uncle told me that this house had burned down before around 1900, and rebuilt. More precautions had been put on the new structure this time.

I was used to my cousins by now. As well as my great uncle. It was still a bit weird, but we were family and that was what mattered. The years went by, and I became close with my cousins. I continued rodeoing with them. All the while missing my older brothers. Some days were harder to get through. On each of my parents birthday, and my brothers I would visit their graves. Of course I did quite a bit the way it was, but on their birthdays I would stay longer talking to them. I’d make cupcakes and light a candle and blow it out for them. Then I’d eat it as I sat there talking to them.

Maybelle ended up marrying my Great Uncle Trenton a couple of years later. She already felt like a part of the family as she had been bringing food over for months before. Flirting with my uncle when she would. Maybelle had loved all the Matheson boys since we’d been kids. With them becoming friends with my cousins they were always showing up out here at the ranch and hanging around. Even Uncle Trenton came around where Rafferty was concerned.

I had lost everything and everyone I loved, but for Rafferty and his family the day of the fire. I had gained a family that I had come to love, but they could never replace my parents and brother’s place in my heart. There were days when something would remind me of them, and I would burst into tears. It became a regular occurrence, and my cousins got used to it after a while.

The ranch by now was back to the bustling ranch it had been before. I started up classes for kids who wanted to ride, and was making money doing that. Not that I needed to when I came from old money, but I loved what I was doing. Seeing those kids' eyes light up when they learned something new was priceless. When I overheard Bailee telling Shea she’d love to have her own horse I was the little birdie who told her parents back then. With her horse being stabled here at the ranch she was here quite a bit, and we would go on trail rides together.

I was there for Bailee when her brother died, and her mom split. Then later when her dad and other brother were killed. I was her maid of honor when she and Shea married soon after they graduated. It was one big party. A few tears were shed when Ren gave his best man speech, bringing up Bailee’s older brothers in his speech. Luckily my maid of honor speech had been a bit more upbeat, and no one cried then.

A year later was my graduation along with my cousin Madden. Rafferty for that matter too. The celebration reception was held out at the ranch, and the party went well into the wee hours of the next morning. The Sons definitely knew how to party. Rafferty at least got a break from his prospecting duties along with Madden for the duration of the party. My cousin Foster had fallen in with the sons soon after moving here, and had prospected to the Sons too.

I continued living on the ranch helping out, training and doing whatever. Plus giving lessons still. Spending as much time as possible with Rafferty too. Declan didn’t hang with us as much as he used to, but he was there if someone needed help with something. Time moved on, and Rafferty proposed to me. The wedding was held on the ranch making it a big shindig. For our honeymoon we went to Maui like Shea and Bailee recommended. I have to admit it was beautiful there.

I was there when Bailee needed me again when her aunt was murdered. That had been devastating to go through. At least Rafferty, and his brothers had caught the person responsible for her murder. Rafferty had joined the Matheson family business of being Bounty Hunters soon after he graduated. After we had gotten married we moved into a house built out on the ranch for us. I loved living there with Rafferty making it our home.

When his family made the decision to move to Washington I was hesitant at first. Leaving behind my family legacy. When I had come of age I had given equal shares of the ranch to my cousins, surprising my great uncle who had told me that the ranch was mine coming from the oldest son. I told him no it was for all of the Gooseberry family. I wouldn’t be carrying on the Gooseberry name either so that was going to be all left up to my cousins to do so. The older boys were already carrying on the family name, having gotten married and starting to have kids. Rafferty and I weren’t to that step in life yet. He was busy with the family business as well as helping to raise his younger siblings.

I had come around not wanting to be parted from his family that had been my family since I had been born with our dad’s being friends. So I said goodbye to my family, and headed off to Washington. Saying goodbye to my parents and brothers yet again was harder than I had thought it would be. I wouldn’t be able to visit them anymore like I was used to. Which was probably what I needed in the long run, and I was on my way to Washington, California with promises to visit when I could to my family I was leaving behind.