SCHOOL DISTANCES

How far did you have to travel to attend elementary, junior high and high school, and how did your get there?

Because I moved often, the answer for each is different.

In the first (and third) school, in Rio, the school was just over a block away so I walked. Even in kindergarten, I do not remember anyone walking with me.

In the second school, in the USA, the school was a little further but I still walked. I was probably in the 1st grade at that time.

At the fourth school, in Tupã, the school was a little over 2 blocks. Nevertheless, I still walked. I was in the 3rd and 4th grade there.

The 5th school I attended, also in Tupã, the school was many blocks away... at least a mile. Because the brazilian school system is different, it is hard to say whether it was junior high or high school; it was called Genasio. By that time, I had a bike so I either rode it or walked.

The 6th school I attended was in the USA. It was a middle (junior) high... 9th grade. I lived about 10 miles from the school and therefore had to ride the school bus. I walked the half mile to the bus stop or was driven there by one of my parents... usually my mother.

The 7th school i attended was back in Brazil where I attended the same school I did before. I was there for 2 more years... including repeating half of the 9th grade. I have come to realize that when I returned to the USA for college, I had barely the 10th grade education.

MEMORABLE VALENTINE

Describe the most memorable Valentine you ever received. Who sent it to you?

I never received a memorable Valentine. In Brazil, there was not the custom of sending cards even though they did commemorate Valentine's Day. It was something celebrated between actually people in a serious relationship: dating, engaged, married, living together.... Since I was in neither, I did not have a reason to participate. While in the USA, I did receive the little cards given out at school but then none of those was memorable. Valentine's Day just does not play that prominent a role in my life either then or now.

SPECIAL CALLING

Did you ever feel that God had a special calling on your life?

Yes, I did. When I was 13 years old, I "heard" God calling me to be a doctor. Becoming a doctor was the focus of my life for many years. I purchased a monthly issue of a medical magazine, studying chemistry outside of the classroom, and talked to doctors... all in order to be ready for college and medical school. I did not make it. My education in Brazil was just not good enough for me to make the grades in college. Foolishly, I believed that since God wanted me to be a doctor, "he" would overcome any problems. Since then, I have had many other "calls", all of which have failed. I no longer believe that God "calls" anyone. 

MEALS WITH PASTOR

Did the pastor or a visiting missionary ever eat dinner at your house? Did they have an impact on your life?

You probably can guess the correct answer to this question: obviously YES! Since my parents were missionaries, we frequently had pastors and/or missionaries in our home for meals and overnight. These visits were especially important to me when we live out in Tupã. We were the only Americans in a 200+ mile radius but on the main road and train route from the big coastal cities to the vast interior of Brazil. Many Missionaries came by our house either just for short visits or to spend the night. Those were very special times for me. I did not even mind that I had to give up my room on some of those occasions. It was just so good to see my missionary and MK friends. Otherwise, I might not see them but once a year during Mission Meeting. I am not sure how the modern MKs and staying close to other MKs now that they are no longer having MM. I am just glad I lived in a day when we did get together for one week a year.

The Sutton family visiting us in Tupã. JES was my best friend from Rio days.

FIVE MOST IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS

Recall for me five of the most important lessons you have learned in life.

I am still learning. Or that is what I like to tell myself. However, what I have actually done is give up on trying to understand life. I know what others give as answers to these questions but honestly, for better of worse, those answers make no difference in my life. For example: Family is the most important thing in life. Nevertheless, I live as if it was not; I don't call or write them. I only visit on special occasions. 

I have learned one thing: Every action has a reaction. That is, actions have consequences. For better or worse, everything I have done has its results. I have 3 absolutely beautiful kids and up to now 6 adorable grandkids. I would not change that for the world. Nevertheless, my marriages were mistakes. Sorry guys. I can only imagine how confusing this must be do you. 

CHILDHOOD FEARS

Can you remember being afraid as a boy? What was your greatest fear? How did you deal with it?

Yes, I can. I am intensely afraid of bees, wasps, hornets, dirt dobbers, and other such flying bugs. I come close to jumping out of a moving car to getting away from a bee. I have been this way since I was about 6 years old. I was paying with some cousins of mine at grandfather Hawkins' home. I tried to hide in an abandoned chicken coop. Unfortunately, it had a wasps nest in it. I was stung multiple times. How do I deal with them? Avoid if possible; kill when feasible.

GRANDPARENTS

Describe your grandparents. What did you enjoy the most about them?

Because I lived in Brazil for so long, I really did not spend much time with them when I was a child. In fact, my paternal grandfather died when we were in Brazil for our second term (5 year terms) so I was only with him as a baby and just during short visits when I was 5. 

I do know a little more about my maternal grandparents because we lived in Nashville during most furloughs... with exception for the 9 month one in 1969. I remember Grandmother Barker's (bna Mema) made strawberry shortcakes almost every time we visited her. She was also the only grandparent to initiate contacts with me... although they were rare. She sent birthday cards, wrote letters, and phoned me several times after I returned the the USA for college. Mema grew African Violated. I really admired her and should have asked for her to tell me the secret to keeping them alive.

During the 9 months we lived with the Barkers, the only bed open for me what in my elderly grandfather's room. He was restricted to a hospital room so needed someone to care for him 24/7.  My grandfather was a school principal and dairy farmer. I remember times, when he was still active, going to the dairy barn with him to milk the cows. He did have milking machines so it required very little manual labor. 

 Annie Barker

CU and Annie Barker

Although I do not remember much about my Hawkins side of the family, I do have some good memories. I remember Grandmother Georgia's pear preserves. I think the Hawkins side of the family was always closer to each other than the Barkers. I remember reunions at her house always been full of laughter and joy. Although Grandmother Georgia could be very loving and generous, I also remember feeling that she loved and believed her other grandkids more. One time my cousin Tony broke her mirror while throwing a ball in the house, she went to her grave saying it was me. The last time I saw her, she told that story with conviction had I was the guilty party. Of course, Tony's parents built and lived in the house right next to her.

Grandfather Fred's, for lack of a better word, presence. Although he was not as large as my father, it seemed to me that he was a giant. I have few other memories of him. The only other memory I do have is that one time I was stung by multiple wasps and he treated the stings with tobacco he had chude up. 

Fred  Lee Hawkins Sr

Georgia Payne Hawkins

Georgia and Fred Hawkins Sr