Miriam Collins-Stommel Born in 1955, I was only 1 ½ when we came from Holland and moved to San Diego. From there we moved to Fresno and that’s really where I grew up. Went to school and when I reached high school (McLane High) I was not sure what I wanted to do so I graduated and moved out. I got my first job at a trucking company. A one girl office. Taught myself the 10-key calculator, did the bookkeeping and receptionist work. Stayed there for a couple of years and then went to a Hospital as a receptionist, then was promoted to personal secretary for the supervision of the Hospital. I missed the bookkeeping aspects though since I love working with numbers so I stayed there only a couple of years and then started into my bookkeeping career. I have been in that type of field mostly ever since. I married my first husband, Rick and moved away to Georgia a few months later. We were together for about 8 years and then divorced. I stayed in Georgia though for over 20 years. After my divorce, I met Ken, my 2nd husband at Miller Brewing Co. I worked for Miller Brewing Company for 8 years. (That was fun….making beer! Ha! Ha!) I also worked as the Sheriff’s secretary/bookkeeper. That was a lot of fun too and very interesting. I also worked for a couple of Law Offices in bookkeeping as well. After 20 years, I ended up once again in divorce and so I moved back home to Fresno California, October of 2002. Mom and dad were getting older and I missed A LOT of family functions, etc… so I knew that was the best thing for me. My last several years in Georgia were not fun and I really did not have much of a marriage so I started going on-line on the computer where I met my current sweetie, Camilo. To make a long story short his computer ID was Josine’s zip code (my sister) so I asked him if he knew where Fresno was and he stated “Of course I do…that’s where I live”! We started chatting for a little bit, then lost contact and a few month’s later…started chatting again. By then I was going thru my divorce and told him I was moving back home to be close to my family again. He asked me to contact him after I got settled. That took about 3 days. I moved back to Fresno October 15th, 2002 and we met for the first time October 15th. We went to a coffee house / bookstore and talked for hours.

me and my sister Josine

Me, Camilo and two sons: Tyler and Jared. The taller one is Tyler. He is 13. and Jared just turned 11.

Camilo, the short little fella, her big sweetie! Dynamite comes in small packages!!!

It went on from there and we have been together ever since. We moved together in an apartment for one year and now we have a beautiful house and have lived there for the last 4 years. He is a wonderful man. He has three boys, the youngest Jared will be 11 on November 19th , Tyler is the middle boy and just turned 13 in August and his oldest boy is Juan, who is 26 and lives in Japan right now where he teaches English. He graduated with honors from The University of California at Berkley, in Berkley a little over 4 years ago. All my family think the world of Camilo, as I do. We have a wonderful life together. I can’t forget my two puppies either. Boris and Inga. He looks like Boris Karloff and Camilo named the girl pup Inga because of her log legs. That’s why he picked me. Ha! Ha! The puppies are wonderful and bring a lot of joy to our lives. Tanta Trees and Hanneke have visited our home as well as Renee and the family just this year. ANYONE is welcome! Well….that pretty much sums up everything. I am very happy now and am REAL glad I moved home when I did. We lost dad, Frank, this year on February 3rd and mom is now living alone but keeps as busy as possible. She is amazing for being 87 and still cooks and takes care of herself. I help as much as I can but she does soooo much for herself. I love my family and am glad to be home. Take care Sjef and hopefully one day Camilo and I can come to visit. Hopefully for the reunion. I will need to ask Josine to send some pictures because I don’t have a home computer and so I don’t have any pictures to share. Say hello to everyone! Love, Miriam