Week 3: Personal Childhood Web

I was extremely lucky as a child in that I had many people who loved and nurtured me. Many were actual relatives while other were teachers or friends' parents who became like second families. As a result, family has always had special meaning to me and has been my priority. This feeling has magnified even more so since having my children and I hope that they grow to have the same connection that I did.

Even as a very young child I understood that my mom would always be there for me. She quickly responded when I cried, let me sleep with her when I had bad dreams, and let me stick my feet under her legs when my feet were cold (and I still do this!). She is one of the most patient and non-judgmental people I have ever met; this served both of us well when I was a fiery pre-teen and teenager. My mom was present for the birth of both of my children and has been a part-time caregiver for them twice a week. After the birth of my first child, she came to my house each day to make sure that I was feeling okay and adjusting. Her nurturing never stopped and has now extended to my children. It is beautiful to watch. She has taught me how to be a mother.

One of my best childhood memories was when my dad would tell stories with my brother and me. He would start out the story and then would prompt us to come up with our own details. We would record the storytelling sessions on our Fisher Price cassette tape recorder and then listen to it over and over again. My dad worked traveled for work and would sometimes be gone for a week or more at a time, so this was one way that he could spend time with us and have it be especially meaningful since we could listen to it while he was away. My dad worked long hours but always made time for me when I wanted to hear a story, which I frequently did! He has been a big proponent of family; he calls me several times a week just to check in and say he loves me even though he also sees me at least once or twice a week. He also calls daily to talk to my children who are 3 and 5; he sees them up to three times per week. It's safe to say that he loves his family! It would be hard for his affection and dedication to not rub off on me. : )

My dad with a terrible mustache & Little me

My brother and I have always been very close and though I was his younger sister, he often need me in a way that I think really shaped me into who I am today. He was often scared and I would be the fearless leader who would hold his hand or go get his stuffed animals for him and pile them around him in bed. I remember being so proud that my big brother had so much faith and trust in my ability to keep him safe. I still take this role (though he is now totally able to fend for himself) and doubt that I will ever move past it; it is so ingrained in who I am and I really owe that to my brother.

 My grandma Merle was another significant person who cared for and nurtured me. She fostered my love for reading and would take me to auctions to buy boxes full of books which I would then quickly devour. She would stay up late and talk with me about whatever I wanted to talk about, even if she was tired. She referred to me as her "Darling Little Baglady" because as a young child I would collect and hoard buttons, thread, fabric, beads, and just about any other craft item, especially if they were left in the "free" boxes at garage sales. I knew with absolute certainty that my grandma loved me and would do anything for me, regardless of my quirks. She passed away around 8 years ago but I think about her frequently. She did not get to meet my children; my daughter shares her middle name and looks similar to her. Her impact on me has been huge. I'm certain it has much to do with my love for reading and my collegiate study of early literacy.

My daughter, the namesake