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Save Some for Me: Inspiration for Single Mothers and the People who Love Them
by Susan A. Jennings
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 The Dream that Almost Came True-Life in Suburbia: Berry Hill Hamlet in the 1970s
Tricycles, bicycles, hockey sticks, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, toy cars, soccer balls and baseball bats were scattered all over the driveway and front lawn. This was a house bustling with five children, two cocker spaniels and three cats (could be more depending on whether or not we had a new litter). One of my friends teasingly referred to me as the lady with 10 kids because she insisted on counting the animals as kids. Her comments always raised a few eyebrows and I always chuckled over a stranger’s surprise.
Ten was not far from the truth as the kids always had a bunch of friends over, either in the basement in winter, or the pool in summer. I preferred it that way -- even enjoyed having the kids around. That way I knew what they were up to, not that I always let on to them that I knew. It was a case of picking my battles. I was a stay-at-home mom so I had the luxury of always being there and I loved every minute of it.
In December 1970 we moved into our new home after several months of watching the construction company turn a plot of land into a house. This was one of the most exciting things we did as a family. Every weekend we would take a drive to see how much more of the house was built. We watched them pour the foundation and build the frame. We spotted the cut out holes that were to be windows or doors and we were filled with anticipation as the roof went on. Soon it was time to celebrate. We had a house. I remember the feeling of joy and love as Rodney and I stood in what was to be the family room, holding hands, with the electricity of excitement pulsing between us. This was my fairy tale come true. This was our house, our family. We had had our problems but I believed they were behind us and this was the life I had dreamed of ever since I could remember. Rodney worked very hard so we could buy that house; he spent three nights a week on call at the Military Medical Centre, until we had enough money for the down payment. We were so very, very happy all five of us, (Alex and James were not yet born).
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