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Dad ran to get my mother's father who was working in the fields and said, "Come quick, Pearl has twin boys." When Grandpa Thompson saw me he said, "Where is the other one?" Dad was always teasing some one. Mother named me after one of her best friends and after Grandma Sessions. Everyone called her Aunt May.
I was a normal child, except at two years old I was still nursing, until I embarrassed her by saying, "tittle, mama, tittle." That night I drank milk out of a cup. Aunt Chloe gave me a toy car than I could set in. I loved it and also dolls. I always wanted a doll with me whenever a picture was taken.
Mother taught me to recite 'Little Orphan Annie' and if I wouldn't recite it when she asked me, she made me stand in the corner. She read to me every night until she would sometimes loose her voice. I owe the ability to memorize and to speak, to her, also the love of books. She was a very special mom. She had me embroidering by the time I was four.
My dad would take me fishing with him and mom. As I got older I used to set on his shoulders as he fished. I caught my first fish at four years old. It was a chub, but at least it was a fish. Dad was a great fly fisherman and he and mom did a lot of fishing on the river and in Strawberry Lake.
We moved to California when I was five. I started kindergarten in San Francisco, but only went two weeks and got measles. Mom never sent me back. I did miss the milk and graham crackers they served each day. Dad got a job on the Hetch Hetchy tunnel and we moved to Livermore and then on to Pleasanton. I loved school there, was in the high school operetta as a flower and I led our school band. I still remember the teacher's names who taught me—Miss Rathake and Miss Parker. They were special. We moved back to Heber City and I went to the 3rd grade at the North School. In the 4th, we went back to California, I ended up in the 5th grade as they had low and high grades. Learned square route instead of long division and when we returned to Utah after 5 schools that year I was known as the division shark. Mom put me back into the 4th grade and long division was so easy that it did not take me any time to do the problems.
I would stay on weekends with Grandma Sessions. Mom and dad would go to Strawberry Lake, but I loved to go to church with Grandma. What a wise woman she was. She would say, "Aunt Christy needs some peppermints or lemon drops", so off we would go to take her some and grandma would have her play the organ she had brought across the plains and tell me about her trek across 1000 miles of wilderness into Salt Lake Valley. Aunt Christy would beam. Grandma was making her happy and teaching me about my heritage. When I was 9 or 10, she loaded me in a bus and we went to Salt Lake City and she paid a researcher to teach me how to gather my genealogy and compile it properly on paper. She also taught me to make quilts and to quilt them. She loved to play rook cards. She wouldn't bid unless she really had a good hand. I had played rook with my parents since I was three. Learned all my arithmetic on them, so we had fun. I played pinochle when I was 9 year old and when dad needed an extra when he played the guys I was asked to fill in. Dad taught me well.
I gave a lot of talks in church. Mama always had me memorize them and I talked loud so people enjoyed them. I bore my first testimony in church at age 13. I hurried out of church as soon as I could but Stake President Cummings sent his son after me and brought me back so his father could tell me that it was special and that the Lord would surely bless me. And HE has all of my life. I was called to be a primary teacher on April 6, 1939, when I was almost 15. I taught the 7-8 year olds with Pansy Giles. The next year I was made the teacher and asked Laura Jones to help me. It was a great experience. When Grandma died, two girls who came to the viewing told me they loved me as their primary teacher and that my class was the best primary class they had. It made me feel good that they remembered me and maybe I did something to touch their lives for the better.
When I was 16 we read the beatitudes in Sunday school. We were asked to study them that week. I read Matthew 5, but read also 6 and 7. In the 6th chapter, the words, "but when thou prayest go into thy closet and close thy door and pray to thy Father in secret and He will reward thee openly. That scripture really touched my heart. Shortly after that, I went to visit my cousin La Von Gerber in Salt Lake City. She was going to get her patriarchal blessing and why didn't I get mine with her. I wrote to my bishop and got an okay providing I got interviewed by her bishop. He told me he could not do it as he would have to get permission from the Church Patriarch and he was in California but I could set in on hers. We went to Patriarch Woodbury's home for La Von to get hers. Her mom told him what had happened and he told us he would love to give me a blessing but could not without approval. We talked for awhile when suddenly he got up and made a phone call. He came back smiling. He had called the patriarch's home and while he was talking to his wife, she heard the gate slam and it was him. He had caught an early plane home. He gave his permission and I got my blessing. No one knew but me and the Lord that I had gone into the closet, closed the door, got on my knees and prayed to God in secret with all my heart that I could get my blessing, full of faith that the scriptures were true and I would receive an answer. My prayers were answered and I gained a testimony that day that God lives and He loves us. Me a 16 year old was important enough for Him to allow the patriarch to get home early to answer my prayer. This was a big turning point in my life.
We lived in Utah during my school years. I played on the basket ball team, baseball team and ran in track, also was on the volley ball team. I loved sports. Graduated as an honor student, won third place in an international bookkeeping contest at BYU in Provo. Won the oratorical contest and 2nd place and 1st place in the Christmas Essay contests. Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was bombed December 7, 1941. War was declared and my plans suddenly changed. Graduated in 1942, married Russell Halton Dyke June 12, 1942 on his 20th birthday. College was forgotten. He wanted to marry before he went into service. I worked at the Mercantile Store, then was asked to work at the High School as secretary to Principal Pearson and to run the bookstore and sell victory bond stamps. I got $30 a month. Russell was drafted in February of 1943 and left for Texas. He was so lonesome for me that I left for Texas just before school let out.
I got a job at the PX, a room to live in right on the way to the post, all in one day. I was told when I was hired they only hired 2 out of every hundred that applied. I saw girls crying because they could not find a job or a place to live. Once again God had blessed me. When I was a Beehive girl at 12 years, we were taught that we should pay one tenth of our income to the Lord as tithing. I did this faithfully, not realizing the promises were 'the windows of Heaven will be opened unto you.' Tithing is a great part of my life. The Lord comes first. I'm a living testimony of tithing. I have always been cared for and never in need. I treasure the paying of tithing. It shows God how much I care for Him.
I followed Russell until he went overseas to the Philippines in the First Cavalry. Dad and I worked for General Engineering Shipyards in Alameda, California. I did sheet metal work and loved it. Russell was wounded and part of his shoulder shot off. He came back and we tried to have a family, but I was unable to conceive. After 3 ½ years we adopted a baby boy who we named Carey Richard. What joy he brought us on December 8, 1948. He was born September 20, 1948. Russell was some different when he came home from the army. He left for Arkansas and a new life. We were divorced November 25, 1950. I was broken hearted. He stayed until we had the adoption papers and then he left. Mom and dad came to California to live with me and take care of Carey while I worked. Daddy needed to get out of the mines as his health was going down hill, so it was a good move for both of us. Mom was such a good mother that I never had to worry about how Carey was. It took five years for me to adjust, but I did. I went back to work for General Motors and ended my 35 year career with them when they relocated. Russell and I did remain friends. He always called me on my birthday and Mother's Day. He asked me to go visit him before he died. Mike and I were escorting a tour about 50 miles from where he lived. His daughter, Paula, picked us up and we did visit him and his wife. He died of lung cancer May 20, 1995.
Shortly after dad's youngest brother died, his two oldest boys, Clifton and Raymond came to live with us. They were 9 and 8 years old. What a joy they were to us. It was wonderful having a real family in our house.
I served a stake mission from 1952-54. Was instrumental in bringing 14 new members in the church. I have been president of Young Women 2 times, President of Relief Society over four years, taught Sunday School to young and old. Am now beginning my 18th year as Gospel Doctrine teacher for adults and dearly love it. The 18 years is broken up into 3 different times.
I was the first commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Oakland #7. We had a new charter in 1947. The next year I was the 3rd District Commander and started a drill team, and we marched in many parades. Became the State Commander in 1960-61. Had a very successful year. I also served as General Memorial Day Chairman for Alameda County. Did a lot in Americanism for the youth and still do. Wrote a Memorial Day Pageant for Evergreen Cemetery and put it on for 8 years. John K Chapel, a prominent radio commentator, narrated it. I'm still an active member and love it.
When Carey graduated from Castlemont High School, he didn't want me living alone, neither did Mike so I married Emanuel (Mike) Perakis in the Oakland temple on September 22, 1966. Mom and dad were living in Tracy, Cliff was married and Raymond was in Vietnam. I had gone with Mike a long time and I guess it was time we got married.
We both work in the church, community and love to travel. I've been in 126 countries and we are going back to Antarctica in January 1999. When we were in Japan, a lady was crying. I found out she had saved for 30 years to visit there. They had a week to go and no money. The travel agent never told them they had to buy some of the meals. Mike and I made a resolution right there that we would escort seniors and give them the best trips for as little as possible. We came home and went to college classes in the evening for five years and I received two certificates in travel. We led tours for eight years, largely two AARP groups in Oakland. I designed most of my tours and they were very successful. We had to quit because a lady fell down on the combing of the Mississippi Queen and sued us and AARP carried no insurance on us. She had a lawyer who threatened us with loosing all we owned and I had to go to the doctor several times, due to severe depression and memory loss. It was the hardest 18 months of my life. My lawyer suggested a settlement for my health's sake. I didn't want too, because I felt she was just trying to get money. I was not guilty of her falling. I had told her to check with her doctor before she left and he told her she could go. I did make the settlement. I am just glad it is all over, but Mike and I miss not doing tours any more. It was something we really loved.
I have had a story published in Pioneer Stories and have published a children's book "The Adventures of Lauralee". I am now writing an adult book, "The Entwining Threads". I hope it can be published in the near future as it is a beautiful story.
One of the highlights of my life was going to a meeting of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and being asked to go there to represent our chapter. I said, "No". During the meeting I felt the Holy Ghost in me telling me that I must go. So I told them I would, even if it meant I would be their president which I did not want to do. I called Janice, Cliff's ex wife and asked her if I could visit her and Cliff's children. She said, "yes, but you must bring Aunt Pearl. So we went. To make a long story short, they came back into the church, Janice's husband, Joe, was baptized. What a great guy he is and what a wonderful father he has been to those four children. The oldest boy, Joseph, accepted the gospel and wanted to go on a mission, but there was no money. I paid all but $50 a month for him to go to Perth, Australia and a month after he returned, I sold stock that made the entire amount I had spent on that mission. YOU CANNOT GET AHEAD OF THE LORD, HE ALWAYS REPAYS YOU. Joseph is now on the High Council and I am so proud of him.
Another highlight was Ruth's experience in finding her father. It is written in her history. What a joy it was for me to see the uniting of a family and so much love shown on both sides.
I have had a wonderful life. If I could leave a message to those who read the few things I have written here, it would be, 'Love the Lord with all your heart and try your best to live accordingly. I know HE lives and that some day I will be with HIM if I live worthy to do so. I never had brothers and sisters, but was even blessed that way because, Dale, Cliff, Ray. Geraldine Dunn and Vilda Sessions all lived with us for awhile. These wonderful people enriched my life beyond measure. I love them dearly. I must also say that I have a wonderful husband who has a lot of patience with me and a son, Carey, whom I love with all my heart and thank God every day for allowing him to be my son. I also thank God for my many, many blessings, above all of being born of goodly parents and ancestors who recognized the truth when they heard it, sacrificed, and handed their testimonies down to me, and that I had the privilege of being raised in a home where the gospel of Jesus Christ prevailed. I pray that I will improve my life each day, to be worthy of the blessings of the gospel and the sacrifices Jesus made for all of us and that our family will be an eternal one worthy of some place in the Celestial kingdom.