I remember our kids growing up. First came James (Porky). He was a quiet kid because he mostly stayed with his grandma, Anna Oney Polty. Porky was a slow learner and it took him at least four years to learn to say words correctly and clearly.

He also had his own way of dressing himself, like putting his socks over his pant-legs to keep the wind out. It was hard to convince him to go to Head Start due to the loss of his uncle, Daniel H. Oney, but he finally went after some encouraging.

Tanya was our next born and when she was about nine months old she got very sick. It almost took her life, but thanks to God she recovered. She had a very high temperature which caused her to be hospitalized in Bethel. Then a nurse and I flew with her to Anchorage Medical Center. Thanks to the many unknown nurses and doctors, she was brought back to life.

Tanya was very eager to learn new words and new things while she was growing up. She made many new friends everywhere we went. Her dad spent much time combing her long thick hair before she went to school. She had many uneven pony tails from this, but she didn't mind.

Everett was our next born and his early days were really scary because he was always choking on food. Once he choked on an apricot seed, then on some moose meat and candy. Then when he was about one year old he quit breathing while we were staying in Anchorage for the summer. After he started breathing again, he had seizures for five hours until the doctors gave him medication.

To raise healthy kids, like our elders always say, you have to watch your kids carefully. Kids are always cranky when they're hungry or have a fever. It is hard raising kids but it can be fun if you just have patience and give them lots of love.

By: Florence Peter