Posted by Jacqueline Morgan (Stevens) Allgood on May 29, 2002 at 20:16:41:
I was a member of the Class of '79. Most of you would remember me as Jackie Stevens. Most people don't call me Jackie anymore (though it's still legally Jacqueline). In 1992, as I was exploring BBS's on the computer (at the time a Mac Classic), I ended up having to come up with a handle, and the first thing to come to mind was Morgan Le Fey. Since then, I've been called Morgan by most everyone I know (Including my husband) and it's a name I'm ultmately more comfortable with than my birth name. I hope to get it changed legally one day.
So, what have I been doing with my life? I made two failed attempts at college. The first in the fall of 1979, at Franklin College in Franklin, IN. The second at OSU the next fall.
During my brief stay at Franklin College I met the man who ended up becoming my first husband, and father to my children, Alan Routier. I ended up leaving Columbus and running off to Indianapolis to marry him in 1981. That's the only good thing to come out of that marriage was the children, Tamara (19 y/o) and Robert (16 y/o). Unfortunately, he ended up being an abusive SOB and after 12 years of being beaten and degraded I finally had it and kicked him out.
Alan left on 5 Feb 1994, and my current husband, who goes by Keeper (his handle at the time I met him, and yes, that's what I call him as he identifies better with Keeper than with his birth name) moved in on 6 Feb 1994.
We met on the Banter Decanter BBS, which was run here locally by a man named Jack "COF" Sutherland. During the last few years before I escaped the first marriage, I spent a lot of time on the BBS and working on my spiritual growth, and though I wasn't looking for it, I found people on the same spiritual path right there on the BBS, which was something I didn't expect at all. One of those people was Keeper. I wasn't even looking for love at that point. I thought to do so was pointless. The Powers That Be had other plans, though.
After living together for 3 years, Keeper and I were legally married in a handfasting ceremony at the local Holiday Inn on Shadeland Avenue, on the south side of Indianapolis, on 19 April 1997.
Life has not been easy. Neither Keeper nor I have a college education, and due to illness and disability I haven't worked most of my adult life, so finanaces are a constant challenge. Keeper works currently for Spartan Security as a site supervisor/guard for $400/week and the site he's assigned to is LaRue D. Carter Memorial Hospital, which is the local state mental health hospital. But we do love each other bunches and try to make the most out of life.
Oh, and I just got my first tattoo on Saturday, too. I'm so excited. I enjoyed the process and can't wait to save up for my next one.
So... There's my life in a nutshell. I look forward to hearing from anyone who wishes to get in contact with me with an open mind and in the spirit of friendship.
Blessed be,
Morgan