Painted and interviewed August 3, 2019
Oil on Linen
20 x 24″
ER: What is your nickname? Do you have a childhood nickname?
RV: My nickname is Rosie.
ER: How old are you?
RV: 58.
ER: What is your favorite saying or quote?
RV: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:13.
ER: Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Where do you call home?
RV: I was born in Corpus Christi and grew up in Pasadena, Texas. I now call Tamarac my home.
ER: Where are your parents/grandparents from? How did they influence you today? (big question)
RV: My parents are from central Texas. My father is the baby of 12. His parents were share croppers. His mom is French and his dad was Irish. My mom is from Central Texas. Her mom is from England and her dad is Irish.
ER: What is your heritage (ethnicity)?
RV: French, English, Scottish and Irish.
ER: Why do you live here? How did you get here?
RV: I always wanted to live near the ocean. It made sense to move when my mother-in-law retired here.
ER: What is your favorite color?
RV: Red
ER: Do you have a pet(s)?
RV: I have two dogs. A pomeranian named Gizmo and a schnauzer named Lucy.
ER: Do you have children? How many? How old are they? Tell us about them.
RV: I have two children. Michelle just turned 35. She just had a gastric sleeve. She has been married for 9 years and has a 15 year old step daughter who is her heart. 27 year old Chelsea is a hair dresser. She is engaged to an amazing young man and has informed me she will have no kids before she is 30!
ER: Do you have grandchildren? Tell us about them.
RV: Jolie is 15 years old. I love my daughters but she has my heart. Jolie is a sophomore in high school. She is the assistant drum major in her marching band. She plays the flute. She is a great big dork …. just like me!
ER: What is your passion? What are you doing when you are most happy?
RV: Helping people!
ER: Do you have a mission? A reason for doing that which is your passion?
RV: The lab I work in. I can calm people who have been diagnosed with a serious illness. I help them through it and share Jesus‘ love while doing it.
ER: What is / was your profession? Is this profession what you were meant to do? Why?
RV: I am an MA and a lab tech. This is the profession I was meant to do. I spent a lot of time growing up sick and in hospitals. I knew I wanted to be on the other end, helping others.
ER: What are you really good at doing? Why?
RV: Besides my job, making things for other people. I crochet, knit, sew and I help people with the things I make.
ER: What do you do that might change the world? Why?
RV: Again, helping others. If everyone would take the time, just the few seconds, to be helpful or friendly…what a different world it would be!
ER: What makes you feel like part of a community? Why?
RV: Knowing that people are my family by choice, not necessarily by blood.
ER: What is the most interesting thing you have ever done?
RV: Going to Honduras on a mission trip to “Our Little Roses” orphanage. It made me realize that sometimes God breaks your heart so that more love can get in.
ER: What is your greatest accomplishment?
RV: My two daughters. I have recently seen both of them return to the Lord. I also have seen them grow into amazing women.
ER: What are your regrets?
RV: I regret that I could not find a way to be with my mom before she died. I just could not get there. .
ER: What are your struggles?
RV: Living 1500 miles away from my daughters.
ER: What are your greatest adventures?
RV: Being a grandmother. We catch up every summer for her half birthday. I love helping her see the world around her.
