There are a few people who had some very strong influences
on my childhood, and who still impact who I am today. I would like to take the
time to say thank you to all of them, and to share some things about them that
make them extra special to me.
First off is my Dad. He was a single dad of four kids for
four years, but I never noticed a thing because he filled the role as my mother
too. He took care of all my needs and he even took the time to seek out my
interests. It was during this time that he built me a bookshelf and we filled
it with my favorite books. He also signed me up for Scholastic and Little
Sister’s Babysitters club mailers so I received a handful of new books in the
mail each week. My favorite time during those four years was when he would read
to me in the bathtub. My favorite book for him to read was by Dr. Suess, Oh the
things you can think. His special
attention inspired a curiosity in me for a lifetime of learning.
Next comes my stepmom Margi. She married my dad when I was
eleven, and has been the only mother I’ve ever really known. She involved me in
all sorts of girly experiences I had never thought of, like painting my nails
and going shopping. I’m not sure my dad was in love with either of those, but
it brought her and me closer. I still know that I can call her for advice
whenever I need to and that I won’t be judged. My favorite memory of her is
from when she was still dating my dad and had her own house. I went over and
played dress up in her walk-in closet for hours. I made a HUGE mess, and all
she did when she saw me was take a few cute pictures, just like my dad would
when I would dress up at home.
Next is one of my siblings, Krissy. We were very close
growing up despite the four year difference in our ages. We shared a room, and
when we were especially young we even shared our own language. This is apparently
a phenomenon among twins, but because of her delayed and slurred speech, I
guess we were an exception. I cannot remember any of it now, but my family and
my sister swear to it. I feel extra special knowing that no matter what happens
I have a close friend and a sister for life.
Growing up I had a lot of cousins and extended family around
a lot, I have a very large family. However, my Nana always made me feel special
and unique. She knew my favorite snack was ice cream sandwiches (more like the
only food I ate) and she always had a fresh box when we visited. I remember a
time when my mom wouldn’t let me have one before I had something nutritious for
breakfast. My Nana completely overrode my mom by telling her that there is milk
in the ice cream and less chocolate and sugar than most cereals, and then
shooed me out the door to go get an ice cream sandwich from the garage refrigerator.
The last person that I would like to include on here is my
kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Pellerine. When I was young my mom watched kids out
of the house. Two of those kids were my kindergarten teachers’ kids. Mrs.
Pellerine would drop her kids off at my house in the morning and pick me up for
school. I remember quickly falling in love with school and learning. I remember
her challenging my thoughts and ideas on the drive to school, and thus being my
first intellectual conversations.
