As I mentioned, Carrie and I had to do an extensive autobiography for our upcoming adoption. So, I thought that it might be worthwhile to post some of my reflections about what has shaped me- it's not fair to only write about the dead. I may post some of Carrie's story, if she gives permission
This process was the fourth time I had done something of this type (With other degree programs, etc.) However, I couldn't find my old copies, so had to create this from scratch. It would be interesting to see how things have changed since I first did a biography my sophomore year of college to now...
I was born on February 8, 1969, in Anderson Indiana, the first son of two University students. The family story is that my mother was taking finals on her due date with me, while I waited another two weeks to be born. While my father finished his degree, my mother dropped out of school in order to raise me.
My father (Charles W. Strawn, “Bill”) is the youngest of four children raised by sharecroppers in southeastern Indiana. My grandfather (Willard Walter Strawn) was a union worker for the Ford Company for the entirety of his life, and also served in local politics. My grandmother (Vae Imogene Strawn) was a homebody who struggled with health issues, including depression and agoraphobia. My uncles and aunt include a recovering alcoholic/perfectionist athlete, a blue collar ex-serviceman who married into mental illness (wife and subsequent children), and a stay at home mom whose first husband committed suicide and whose second husband fought with depression up to and through their divorce. Both of my paternal grandparents have died in the past two and a half years.
My father’s initial vocation was as a high school math teacher, where he served until I was three. At that time, he felt a tangible call to ministry, and began a legacy of pastorates that continued uninterrupted to this day (35 years). His calling has led our family from Ohio to Missouri to Indiana to Ohio (again) to Illinois, where he now continues to serve.
My father’s personality was one that did not easily anger, but one that you knew not to push too far. We never were afraid of him (except in jest), but also knew that we would be disciplined appropriately for our faulty choices. The largest struggle that I had with my father as a child was that I never knew who I was talking to- my pastor or my father. But, I believe that this has impacted my view of the pastorate more than it’s shaped my view of fatherhood- the things that he did and taught were consistent throughout. He was often unavailable when we were in growing up, but I realize now the difficulty of balancing personal/family lives with a calling to lead and minister to people whose struggles did not always occur at the most convenient times. Through college and beyond, I have always know that he was proud of me and supported me, and believe firmly that if any crisis occurred he would be on the first plane to Los Angeles.
My mother (Cheryl Christina Coleman Strawn) is an only child, and was raised in southern West Virginia by an interesting combination of parents. Grandma (Helen Lorene Coleman) was the daughter of an abusive and controlling father and a mother who passed away while she was still young. As such, grandma’s vision of childrearing was also controlling, and could be more easily characterized as emotionally manipulative than physically abusive. Grandma was a devout woman who worked as a nurse for the majority of her life; she passed away in an auto accident on Christmas Day of 1992. Grandpa (James Emmet Coleman) was a sergeant in the Army Reserve, and saw action during World War II and the Cuban Missile Crisis. He also worked as a surveyor, and is the most widely read and traveled of my grandparents. During my mother’s school years, he was often absent due to his military or civil engineering responsibilities. He was, by far, my favorite grandparent, and his passing in April was both a difficult time and a great celebration of his life. Some of my fondest memories are of summers visiting West Virginia, and it was sad for me when his house was sold and he moved in with my parents full time.
As mentioned earlier, my mother did not complete her bachelor’s degree initially, and was a stay at home mom who volunteered on occasion. As a pastor’s wife, she served the congregations that my father led in many different ways- pianist, choir director, Sunday School teacher, women’s league president, etc. I always sensed tension in her response to these roles: it frustrated her that she was not appreciated and often seen as a part of the pastoral package, yet her sense of responsibility to the church would not have let her easily relinquish a position. She finished her bachelor’s degree while we were in high school, and has worked as a social worker at several different organizations.Most recently, though, her role as a children’s advocate was cut during budgetary changes by the State of Illinois and she has been unemployed for about three years. This has left her at home to care for my grandfather (until his passing) and my younger nieces.
In summary, I believe that I can point to a number of values that my parents and grandparents have instilled in me. These include a deep faith in God through Jesus Christ, a desire to show love for others through service and leadership, a sense of loyalty to ‘family’ (including friends), an appreciation for musical performance and public speaking, and some of the traditional ‘mid-western, small town’ values for community, frugality and stewardship of resources, athletics, and the simpler pleasures of life.
Next- The rest of the clan...
Labels: My Story
