Lost and Found

When I was little my family would usually get a real tree at Christmas time. One year while we were shopping for one I found myself all alone in a big parking lot forest. Boy was I scared. I'm pretty sure that I cried a little (you know, like little kids do). This older couple saw me and asked if I was lost. When I admitted I was they took me towards the front of the are a and then lifted me onto one of the crates. I stood there and looked around for my parents. It was really dark and scary. My parents found me though and I was very happy for the reunion and for the old couple who helped me.

I wish that I could say, "after that I didn't leave my parents any more." But that would be untrue. In the grocery store I loved to chase the reflection of the florescent lights down each isle and jump over then as they approached my feet. Another habit of mine was to pretend like the clothes racks at Target and VF Factory Outlet were forts. I would crawl into the middle of the rack and pull my feet up on the middle bars. I would also duck so that no one could see me from above or below. This frightened my mom a few times. A combination of these events led my mom to purchase a wrist to wrist leash. Oh, I hated that thing. The first time I had to wear it we were in the grocery store.

I decided to take my usual jaunt down the isle. I hit the end of my rope about three steps into my takeoff. The tether pulled me sideways and smashed my knee into the shopping cart. OUCH! My knee was black and blue for a long time after that, but I didn't run away any more. I guess I was pretty dumb to think that the blue strap around my wrist and connected to my mom's wrist would make no difference on my range. I'm sure my kids will have to learn this same lesson. Good thing they make more humane straps now!

and

and my favorite

Haircut!

I have a video of my first haircut. The cu was given to me by my aunt who is an amazing beautician. I'm told that my first haircut was a result of some young men asking my dad if he was letting his son grow a tail. That didn't sit too well, so a haircut was ordered. My aunt thought it would be funny to say something about not moving my head so that she wouldn't cut my ear off. Aaahh! That's a scary thought for a little kid. My aunt cut my hair for the next 18 years or so. It was pretty difficult, when I moved away, letting someone else cut my hair. The fear of losing an ear still lingers in my subconscious every time someone takes scissors and trims around them.  Maybe Van Gogh was just trying to cut his own hair!

I'm Tough!

When I was little I went to get one of the shots that little kids get, some vaccination or something. I think they put it in my leg or arm. I remember this story basically because it has been retold to me. The doctor who was administering the shot said, “ok, close your eyes and count to 10.”

I did as instructed and at about 3 I felt the sharp jab of the needle and I started to cry. I cried and I counted, “1, 2, 3… 9, 10.” I was sobbing.

The doctor told my mom, “wow, I’ve never had a kid who actually made it all the way to 10." See I’m tough!