My Script

Emily Eyberg
Mr.Neuburger
ENG-102-204
5 December 2011
My Strength
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7PndreWG00
I was born on December 2, 1991 to Carl and Janet Eyberg. I am the second child to Janet and Carl, and the fifth child to Carl. When my parents first started seeing each other my mother had been warned about my father by fellow school teachers, friends and her father. My grandpa Smith had actually expelled a few of ‘those Eyberg boys’ from his school, so needless to say, he was concerned about his daughter seeing one of them. My mother made it clear that she disliked dating, so on their first ‘date’ my father had written a sign that read ‘not a date’ and was sure to keep it on the dashboard during the entire evening. After some time of getting to know one another, they became engaged and shortly after married. My father’s three sons, from his first marriage were present and in the ceremony.
My mother graduated from SMS with an elementary education degree, with an emphasis in special education. From teaching roots of her father and mother, and the small town of Rolla Missouri, the similarities of my mother and I are striking. My mother is also the youngest child and the only girl of four children. While my father graduated from MS&T with a degree in psychology and mathematics. My father is one of seven children, all but one are boys. As my grandmother stated one evening “That’s probably me, if there is a pregnant woman, that’s me.”
My mother lived in Rolla until she went on to SMS, she also spent a semester at MS&T. Growing up with all boys and in the country, and my mother developed the kindest heart I have ever known. My grandfather Eyberg passed away at a young age, to which all his children and grandchildren were deeply saddened. Having trusts to maintain, files to be kept, and records to be documented, my father stepped up to keep the family sane. Along with his brother, my Uncle Jim, they managed to keep things flowing smoothly.
My father owned Eyberg Construction, where he was the general contractor. My mother’s sister in law, Lillian Smith would later work for my father. Drawing up blueprints for houses, office buildings and theaters, my father quickly created a name for himself. The movie theater in Rolla, along with the Police station, assorted house and offices, and the house I grew up, were all built by my father.
My mother’s brother John and wife Lillian still reside in Rolla, as their daughter Jennifer with her family. Jennifer is also an elementary teacher; I suppose you could say teaching runs in the family. Shad, another brother of my mother, and his wife, Sandy live in Kansas City. While my Uncle Bob travels and frequently visits his daughter Marsha, who lives in Tennessee. Both of my grandparents from my mother’s side passed away from cancer in the winter. I was about two when my Grandpa Smith passed away, and about eight or nine when my Grandma Smith passed away. Every so often when my mother reflects on her parents, her eyes well up with tears, a mixture of fond, loving memories, and sadness that they are no longer there. I have very clear memories of spending time with my Grandma; going to the Dollar Store, garage sale shopping, baking cookies, waking up early at her house to watch cartoons with my brother Andrew.
My father is one of the eldest children. Mary Louise, the only girl was born on October 9th, 1963, and passed away far too young in 2010. Walbridge Jr. was born in 1951 and died in 2005. Walbridge lived in a Hospice the last few months of his life, close to my family when we lived briefly in TN. I was able to get to know my Uncle during that time; I only wish I had been able to see him more, in his better days. James Bowles or Jim as he was known was born in 1954, and passed away in 2009. His death was a shock to all of us, and heart wrenching at each moment. Jim also ran his own construction company and was well known and loved throughout Rolla. At Jim’s funeral the church was overflowing, as were the tears. Jim’s widow, Sheila still lives in Rolla close to her older son Jay and his family. Jay, his wife Lori and their kids live in Rolla close to Grandmother Eyberg Bruce, was born in, at times no one knew where Bruce was or what he was doing throughout his life. Creating an array of questions from his siblings, however at times the memories were fuzzy. Nils, a chemist who lives in St. Louis with his two children, Maggie and Joseph, and wife Shelly, was older to get married, and is finding having children can be extremely trying. Nils is known for always telling dates that he was an orphan, so he wouldn’t have to bring them home to meet the folks.
When my Grandmother Eyberg thinks about her children that have passed away, or her husband whom she loved dearly, she smiles tightly trying her best to not cry, even though it is clear it hurts her deeply to not see them around.
My eldest brother, Nathan lives in Northern Missouri dabbling in different positions. Leif lives here in Springfield with his three children, Eris who is five, Enoc who is three, and Leila who is one, along with his wife Lacey. Leif is currently attending OTC and plans to go on to MS&T next year. Ian recently moved to California to continue his entrepreneurships, and offers from numerous companies. Andrew, lives in Rolla with our Grandmother Betty, while attending MS&T, he is going for a degree in psychology and plans to go on to a doctorate.
The more time I spend with my family, the more I know them. These are only some of my family, if you were to look even further around the states you would find more of us scattered throughout. We don’t see each other nearly as often as any of us would like, especially since many are aging. I’ve seen the tears in the eyes of aunts, uncles, cousins and parents. From saying goodbye to those whom we love all too early.
Throughout trials and tribulations, we have found an even stronger sense of love and unity. If the pain and heartache that members of my family have felt could be wished away, I would have wished them away long ago. However, the fact is our family is stronger because of everything that we’ve seen.
I would not be the person I am without my family. A stranger would be welcomed in to every home of a family member with an open heart. I only hope that when I have my own home I am just as welcoming and loving.