A Personal History of Jean McIntire Partridge - 1

This will be an exact transcription of my mother's history as written by her in her own words.

As one gets older, youth, with fresh talent and more vigorous footsteps eagerly assume long familiar roles and we step aside, relieved, and released, to pursue long delayed projects and to bask in the memories so carefully preserved in picture albums and in the recesses of our mind. Oh, so much to think about! But thoughts, like the whisperings of the wind, leave nothing substantial, no mark of accomplishment and no trace of loving, endearing relationships so poignant and now so precious.

With these thoughts in mind I write this short history so that our children and grandchildren will know who I am and the influences that shaped my life and to some extent, theirs.

Considering the long history of mankind, the phenomenal progress which has been made in the 75 years of my lifetime, in science, medicine, in every field of endeavor and especially in our standard of living, is nothing short of what the Lord has called "the restoration of all things." All this is part of my life's experiences and memories, and there is much more to come! I recall a saying from Tennyson's Ulysses, "I am a part of all that I have met, yet experience is an arch wherethrough gleams that untraveled world who's margin fades forever and forever when I move."

The greatest influences in my life, and the most meaningful, have come, I'm sure, from my Father in Heaven. The promptings of the spirit seem to have guided me and protected me even when I have been in circumstances of great temptation and certainly when I have no great wisdom of my own. This I know: He is always there to guide, direct and lift us to a better self if we learn to listen to Him. I know he loves me. He loves each of us. I love Him and thank Him for all He has done for me.

(Next: Childhood On The Farm)