June of 1971, says the picture. I was 2 years old. The teddy bear belonged to my older brother. I remember loving that bear. I think I had to share it with my younger brother, and I didn’t like that at all. At first I wondered if this WAS a picture of my younger brother (we looked a lot alike when we were kids) but I’m pretty sure this is me. He wouldn’t have even been 1 in June of ’71. Also: tights and a dress.

I remember HATING wearing tights. I remember one day on a Sunday after church, laying on the floor of our house and thinking about how much I hated the feeling of the tights. I’m sure I was probably crying and maybe even throwing a fit but I don’t remember that part. I just remember the hate.