My daughter was 4 years old when I started working this show.
I spent more time with them than I did with my daughters.
Every one of them had somebody that brought them to the set and made them who they are.
Ramona Rosales for EW
(Payton left the seriesafter her 200th episode; she was replaced by Judyann Elder.)
When Jo talks to me on the show, I really consider her my mother, she explains.
No matter who you are, you feel that.
They were not happy [I was possibly not going to finish school].
They werent having it, McCrary says.
They were like, No, not on our watch.'
VIDEO: TheFamily Matterscast gets emotional over raising costar Shawn Harrison
His mother was so wonderful.
But, shortly after that, Shawn lost his mother.
So, we embraced him, Payton recalls of the emotional time.
I know he missed his mother, but we were all there for him.
So, I appreciate all the love and support that you guys all extended to me during those years.
McCrary may have summed it up best: What you felt was that unit, that village.
