This is dedicated to Vivian, one of the most amazing women I know.

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Vivian Redden was born in Abilene, Kansas on May 20, 1942. Her parents were out at dinner when she was born.

She has had a good relationship with her siblings for the most part. She does a lot with her brother for medical reasons. Her sister was mean to her when she was young, but she was never mean back.

She did not have her first job until she was 21. She worked at Duck Wall General Office as a receptionist.

Vivian has never purchased a brand new car. She always buys used. The first car that she drove on her own was her brother's that she drove while he was in the service.

Vivian grew up in the country, on a farm. Her family had quite a bit of land. Her family's house burned down, and the community helped rebuild everything.

Vivian remembers her parents working together in how they parented her and her siblings. They were both strict yet loving and kind. Some people in the community thought that they were too harsh, but Vivian says that it helped her grow and become more responsible.

Vivian began working on the farm when she was eight. She had many responsibilities. Some of them were milking the cows, baling hay, and working in the garden. She got up at five every morning and she had to finish her chores before doing anything else.

Fun for Vivian as a young girl consisted of many puzzles with her family. She also remembers playing "Kick the Can" and all kinds of card games.

The only family tradition that Vivian had when she was younger was on Christmas. She remembers that there would never be anything under the tree on Christmas Eve. The next morning the kids would have to do their chores. They ate breakfast and when they went to the tree and looked, it was packed with presents.

Vivian loved school growing up. In elementary school, she was in a play called Rip Van Winkle. She played the mother. She also played basketball.

In High School, she was a cheerleader and president of the Future Homemakers of America Club. She went to both proms and every school game. She also was the pitcher on her school 's softball team.

Vivian met her husband, Warren, on a blind date. She originally did not want to go but was talked into it by her friend. Her first impression of her date was not very good. She did not like his name or his complexion, but when they started talking, she knew that he was the one for her.

Vivian did not want to get married and when Warren had previously mentioned it, she was not interested. One day, they were in Abilene, sitting on a fountain, and Warren asked her if she would want to get married the next week. She surprisingly said yes and despite what he mother said, she got married in Colorado the next week. It was a small wedding with only immediate family.

She has two sons, Carl and Stephen. She is very proud of both of them. She thinks that Carl is more like his father, Warren, because he is level-headed and thinks things through. She thinks that her other son, Stephen, is more like her because he is more impulsive. Vivian has always had a good relationship with her kids and says that they both have tender and good hearts.

The people that have influenced Vivian the most are the people on her father's side of the family. She would always go to church with her grandparents and they influenced her religious and spiritual outlook on life.

One event that changed Vivian's life occurred when her life seemed to be going awry. The farm that her and Warren owned was in financial turmoil, they were dealing with a rebellious child, and she had lead poisoning. She went to a counselor and was yelled at and put down by him, but she realized on her drive home that none of this mattered. She only cared about her relationship with God. She prayed and read the bible more often after this time.

The way that Vivian views life is that she is very blessed. She lives in the greatest country in the world, America. She believes that America is founded on God. She is also very conservative and when she votes, she makes sure that she studies the candidates.

She does not have many traditions currently for the holidays. One tradition that her and Warren used to have was going to the Redden house for Christmas Eve. They would open gifts and then they would have a Swedish "feast." They would then read in the bible and share stories about how their year has gone. They had a mini talent show as a family and then they would have cookies and coffee.

The hardest choice that she has had to make is currently going on now. She is trying to figure out what she should do with her current relationship. She does not know if she should get married again or let things be the way that they are now.

When Kennedy was assassinated, Vivian remembers sitting at her desk at Duck Wall. She had just come back from lunch when she found out.

During 9/11, she was sitting at her desk at work when Warren told her that the first tower was down. She was shocked and he said that he was going to go inside to watch coverage.

When asked about inventions, Vivian said that she has been most affected by a lot of the current technology. She also said microwaves and sewing machines had an impact. She did not want a sewing machine at all, but her husband said that she should have one to sew his pants.

Her favorite part about growing up has been seeing her family grow. She loves to interact with her family and getting to know everyone.

Vivian is pretty content and has done a lot of the things that she has wanted to.The only thing that she would want to do more of in her life is travelling. She would love to see more of America and the world

If she could go back and give her younger self advice, it would be to lean on your spiritual values. Also, study very hard. Lastly, she would tell herself to live in the now.

Vivian's proudest moment is when she became Dairy Princess as a teen. She went on to district and she was so excited.

Her biggest regret is not having a big wedding. Because her and Warren got married so quickly, she did not get to have a big wedding. If she could change it now, she would make sure that all of her family could come.

The advice that Vivian would give to teens would be to live life to the fullest. Live today like it is your last because it will make your tomorrow. Also, listen to your parents because believe it or not, they have lived experiences that have directed their lives. They know what they are talking about.