In this first segment of the autobiography, The Iron Puddler: My Life in the Rolling Mills and What Came of It, you will discover the author's, James J. Davis's, Welsh origins and formative values. He recounts whipping a bully after years of humiliation over his homemade, patchwork suit, realizing that self-respect must be defended. His father taught him pride and that success is won only through labor, to "expect no gift from life." His mother provided constant love and consolation, "always working and always singing," lighting his path to the mills.

Lucy Abernathy left an inspiring legacy as a high school teacher, characterized by her dedication, compassion, and unwavering support for generations of students. Working at Chaparrel High School in El Cajon, she became a vital positive adult role model and a source of hope for students whose own families had often given up on them. Facing life's challenges, Lucy maintained a commitment to presenting a model of behavior and utilized transformative training principles from Recovery International to navigate life's difficulties. She beautifully demonstrated that if one's family disappoints, one can choose and adopt a new family, embracing her role as a cherished "big sister" to the Flanagan family. Listen to Lucy’s powerful oral history to absorb her warmth and wisdom, and consider how you, too, can revitalize the memory of a loved one by sharing their story.