PAMELA ABELE CARLSON and FRANK
RECOLLECTIONS AND REVELATIONS

I was born in St. Paul, MN, December 30, 1937, to Phyllis and Emile Abele. In 1950, Dad went to Los Angeles to start a new job. Mom sold the house, bought a 1949 Chevy convertible, and Mom headed West with 8 year old Mitzi, 4 year old Butch, Aunt Myrtle, me, and pregnant cocker spaniel Roxy. 5 days later Dad met us in Las Vegas for a couple of days vacation with Mom. We arrived in Los Angeles and I started school at Virgil Jr. High. Thank goodness it was only 3 months before they bought their house in Burbank, corner of Fairview and Oak. I transferred to Jordan Jr. High in the 8th grade and went on to Burroughs.

In high school a bunch of us girls started a club. It was just a whim that turned out to be kind of fun. We met some guys who had a car club called the Royals and the Royalettes were "born". One of the guys became my high school sweetheart. Rowe Cavelli and I married in 1957 while he was on leave from the Army. We located at Fort Lewis, WA. We divorced 2 ½ years later after returning to Burbank.

In 1960 I married Bill Wallace and we moved to San Gabriel. In 1961 daughter Teri Michelle was born. That marriage ended in 1963.

I married Frank Carlson in 1964. We moved to Sierra Madre. Daughter Judith was born in 1968. In 1973 we moved to Redlands. There began what should have been the best years. I was a stay home mom, Frank progressed in the weighing systems business, and the girls were happy in Redlands.

Sadly, daughter Teri was killed by a drunk driver in 1977 when she was 15. This was an awful time and I know God carried me along for many months. Frank Carlson died of a heart attach in 1980 just 3 years later. Sort of a double whammy losing half the family in a 3 year period.

What I really needed was a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through home Bible Study and the encouragement of special people, God softened my heart and by His grace I came to believe and receive the truth that has set me free.

In 1987 I moved to Grass Valley in Northern California. It is a beautiful area above the Sacramento fog and below the Tahoe snow. I got a job with Nevada County, one of only two major employers, in the Human Services Department. I loved the work and the people and eventually became a supervisor. I retired after 15 years in December 2004.

Daughter Judith and husband live in Orange County. Perhaps one day there will be grandchildren. In the meantime, they are busy remodeling their house. I am fortunate to be able to visit them several times a year.

It is good to be retired and have the time to reconnect with old friends. I have been told that in retirement there isn't enough time to do all the things that are there to keep me busy. I am finding that true.


RETURN TO THE HOME PAGE