I had 12 Brothers and Sisters Growing Up

[John Richeson]

The older I get the more amazing I realize my upbringing was. I was one of 12 children, eight boys and four girls. I was number five. I am not sure how my parents managed but they did and for the most part we were very happy. We were raised in a rural community you have never heard of, trust.me. Let's just say Stanley, Kentucky was much smaller than New Knoxville ,Ohio. We were not in poverty even though my Dad was a common working man, a carpenter like Jesus, who always worked construction his whole life. We never had much but we were always well fed, nicely clothed and had a few toys. Best of all we had constant playmates.....lots of them. The fun and laughter was non stop. My Mom was 17 and my Dad was 20 when they got married. They were happily married for over 50 years before my Mom passed away. By the time this picture was taken there were 11 children all living under one roof. (My youngest brother was born the following year.). At this time my parents were ages 36 & 33! Yes, what is amazing is that my parents had 12 children in less than 15 years! We had tremendous fun as kids. We faced difficult challenges as adults. But we always had each other. Because of that unique upbringing we are all very close today. I am glad to have these wild and wonderful brothers and sisters to grow old together with. It is almost unheard of today. Here we are in 2000 (my Mom has passed and I lost two brothers in their teen years)

[John Richeson]

We had a "pool home" growing up out there in Stanley. I remember this day in this picture. I am the one in front with the big ass grin. We had an awesome childhood because of each other.

Here we are decades later at another pool at a place where we met one year for our annual family reunion. Can you tell which one lives in Florida? Hint...he has no tan.

[John Richeson]

Me too. I am thankful for our two. But sometimes we wish we had 3 or 4.
Because we were raised to really love and support one another it has nade a difference.

Now we have each other and have fun together.

Did you know the loingest relationship in your life is that of you siblings? Think about it. You parents pass away, you don't meet your spouse until later in life. But your bro's and sis's are from birth to death.

It was not always a bed of roses growing up but now I am glad to have my big fat KY family.

[crae akerson]

WOW John, I knew you were from a big family but you don't really see the greatness of it until you see a picture. You Mom must have been an amazing person. I had all I could do to handle two.

[Vickie Allen]

What a blessing ..thanks for sharing ..good looking family..your dad looks great! My dad came from a 12 kids household too. 8 boys and 4 girls.. He and his sister are the only two left..they all sung ...when we were growing up, we'd go down to AL every summer to visit for a week and go to our Yates family reunion. We had so many people, we'd use a church to have the meal and then a "singing" afterwards.. Lots of love and huggers and pinchers in that family.. My Aunt Jewel, who is still alive, used to love to pinch my cheeks..it hurt like h---..lol...but I'd smile...funny the things you remember about your childhood.. again...thanks for sharing this about your family.. I know you are thankful for your parents. Love, Vickie

[Kevin & Sara Guigou]

How remarkable - to see and read. Your folks must have really been something.