Say Cheese!

I believe childhood is what molds a person. If you stop and think about it, a child is taught, by guidance, what is acceptable in society, and will carry those lessons threw out his or her life. Fortunate for me I was born into a normal poverty stricken hard working family. Both of my parents strived to provide for me and my brother, Chris, with the intentions of giving us more than they had as children. They did a wonderful job, for I can not remember a time when we didn't have something to set on the table at dinner time, nor did Santa ever let us down on Christmas morning. My parents are very strong-willed, open minded individuals, who unselfishly cared for thier two children, while teaching us respect, morals, ethics, and love.

I hope you understand that I not only have to say how wonderful my parents are because it's true, but also because I know at times they have wondered why they didn't stop after the first child. Yes, I am the younger of the two, and have proven to be the more active, mischievous, and inquisitive during our childhood.

To my mother's dismay, I was the typical "Tom Boy" who enjoyed frogs, animals, and boyish activities. This trend began at age three, when I thought I had to prove myself to the other boys at the nursery. One particular boy and I made a habit of arguing every day. Once I went as far as to hit him. He went home crying that day, but he must have had some outside coaching that night, for the next morning he came back to the nursery to finish what I started the day before. After our usual name calling exercises he locked his jaws on my right cheek. Two months later my cheek was still discolored. I have determined that young boy really wanted to make an impression on me because today, 36 years later, I have a large dimple replacing his teethmarks.