My first memories of what a family is.  I have a loving mother and father.  Now better known as Mimi and Papa Joe by our girls.  I have the best little brother and sister a sibling could ask for.

I was born in 1984.  What a great year.  My parents always did whatever they could for us and still do.  Born in Baltimore and soon after moving to Atlanta GA, I have the most amazing memories of Atlanta and my young childhood.  I remember how warm the sun felt like on winter day.  I remember my suburbia childhood circle of friends.  We ruled our streets, climbed Magnolia trees, and played till late every evening.

1987 my sister Alexandra (Alexa) came along.  Everyone loved my sister.  My friends would vie for her attention and I would remind them that she was my sister.  1991 my brother came along, and soon after we moved to Pittsburgh PA.  I disliked alot of things about Pittsburgh, particularly the blizzards, and Steelers/Penguins fans.  One thing I remember was this great old historic mansion, that my parents purchased, restored and renovated.  This house was almost indescribable in its grandiosity and beauty.  I had my own wing in this house, as a young pre-teen was useful for blasting Alanis Morrisette’s Jagged Little Pill album on repeat. 

In 1997, my family prepared to return to our home and family in Southern Maryland.  My father opened his own law practice, I worked in high school as his legal assistant.  I attended St. Mary’s Ryken High School and later on, Syracuse University to play DI Lacrosse.   That was short lived, I returned to Maryland to finish school at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2002/3.  College is somewhat of a blur, I did make lasting friends and connections.   I bonded with an amazing professor, Professor Barrett who guided and helped me finish my degree in Russian History.

Back to the Ashworths.  Over the years after college I struggled immensely with my un-diagnosed mental illness.  My family was always there to support me.  I even moved back in with my parents for some time while I recovered from a severe mixed episode and began my journey of acceptance/treatment for my mental health in 2007.  In 2008 I found NAMI, I asked my family to get involved, and they jumped to answer the call.  My mother and father took a Family to Family class, trained as educators and national trainers, helping other families along the way. My father is now the President of the NAMI Maryland state board, and they’ve been involved with NAMI since the day I asked them to join up.   My sister is now my personal pharmacist on call, she is a liscensed Pharmacist for CVS in Baltimore MD.  My brother lives with my parents, and helps them immensely in their older age.  If it weren’t for their support I would likely have had a different narrative to tell. Thank you mom, dad, Alexa and John for all you do.