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J. Barry Mason (my dad)We used to call him the absent-minded professor and the nutty professor but he no longer teaches. He is currently the Dean of the Business School (Commerce and Business Administration) at the University of Alabama. He's been able to raise a lot of money for the school, build a new C&BA building and library, and renovate the old C&BA building. He's been featured in the Reader's Digest, Time magazine, The Tuscaloosa News (ooh, aah), and many other publications. When he taught at the University, one of his students once told my mom "He's tough but fair"...I guess I can say the same about him as a dad--but sometimes I wonder about the fair part. He is well-respected and loved at home and in the community, usually has a good sense of humor, is smart, healthy and fun to be around when he's in a good mood. He likes to play jokes, make things up and pretend they are true, go fishing, go hunting (boo), and work in the yard (he's got such a green thumb even the Jolly Green Giant is jealous). Despite being a male, he's a great person!
Linda F. Mason (my mom)She's held quite a few jobs but the one she's held the longest and is the most successful at is being a Homemaker or Stay-At-Home Mom or whatever the current politically correct term is for someone who is able to stay at home with her children and enjoys it. She's a very creative person. Some of her hobbies include: sewing, crocheting, Plastic Canvas, decorating the house, and pratically ANY other craft. She likes to collect teddy bears and carousel horses. I think her biggest collection is either her Cherished Teddies or her Beanie Babies. Right now she's got a lot of health problems (Hypoglycemia, Fibromyalgia, mild Lupus, mild Asthma, a bad back, a bad knee, etc.) but she keeps putting one foot in front of the other, tries to remain happy and optimistic, and continues to be a role model for me just like my dad.
Michael Barry Mason (my brother)Michael was my older brother, but despite this I loved him. We were only 22 months apart and while growing up some people thought we were twins. It seemed my parents had the perfect family--an older son and a young daughter; however, fate intervened and Michael was diagnosed with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. It's an inherited diseased that causes a gradual weakening of the muscles and muscle mass. And thanks to Murphy's Law it is FATAL.
My brother Michael succumbed to this disease 1 month, 1 week, and 2 days before his 32nd birthday. Murphy wasn't done with us yet...thanks to his Law, Michael died on my Mom's BIRTHDAY! Ain't life weird?!?! Anyway, thanks to God, Michael was with us A LOT LONGER than anybody thought was possible. Luckily his death was relatively quick (he went to the hospital on a Tuesday and passed away Thursday) and he told us he was ready.
He was a real inspiration to everyone he met. He was witty, smart, optimistic, and loved history and Alabama football (College Football of course). He touched everyone he met in a postive way and many people went out of their way to do things for him. He was almost finished with his autobiography In Body Only when he died. I haven't read all of it yet, but what I have read is funny, inspirational, and enlightning.
I just hope he knows how much I love him and miss him...save me a place in heaven with you, Michael. (Don't worry Mom, when I find a better picture, I'll use it.)
Michele "Missy" Mason (me)Not much to say about me...after all, I have time to fiddle around with this website!. Anyway, I like to play around with the computer and try new programs, play video games, and enjoy tinkering with most other technical stuff. Since my parents aren't into computers but try to use them, I get to help them out a lot. Unfortunately, they are not into video games so I have to play by myself or invite somebody over.
I like to read Sci-fi, horror, thriller/suspense, mystery, and fantasy books--pretty much anything but romance, western and nonfiction. Plus I read computer, gaming, and movie magazines. I like to play basketball, go camping, bikeriding, hiking, and horseback riding, watch movies, travel, and draw. I collect Beanie Babies & Buddies, cat paraphernalia, Star Trek items, and movie tie-in collectibles.
In keeping with my family's medical history, I guess I have to mention I have fairly bad Asthma, osteoporosis (because of the steroids used to help the asthma), recurrent pneumonia, and bronchiecstatsis or something like that. It appears that my Dad is the only healthy one among us, except for my 2 younger cats (the oldest one has diabetes...go figure). (By the way, I've gotten a haircut since this picture. When and IF I find a DECENT picture of me, I'll post it.)
