My Personal Childhood Web

There are many people who influenced my early childhood.  The most important person in my early years was and still is my mom, Diana.  She was only 16 when she had me, but she did her best along with my dad to instill strong values and to teach me right from wrong.  We have always been very close and I have always been able to talk to her about anything and everything.  She has supported all of my decisions and I know that she is proud of who I have become. 

My dad is another big influence in my life.  As a young child he was the one who played outside with me and pointed out all that nature provides.  He worked hard so that my mom could stay home with me and to provide us with all of our necessities.  He also made sure that we took vacations every summer.  Because I am an only child, my parents made sure I had other children to play with and allowed me to have friends over.

My grandparents also played a role in my early years.  We visited them often when I was growing up and I would spend time with my grandma when they would let me spend the night.  I remember telling my parents that we slept in the "closet".  It was actually a third bedroom that my grandma used for storage with a pullout couch that we slept on.  But in my way of thinking it was a closet!  My grandma was always nice and never yelled at us kids.  We knew the rules at grandma's house and followed them because we wanted to please her.  Grandpa liked to tickle us, but it usually hurt because he would grab too hard.  But I loved him anyway and when we would visit, I would put the teddy bear in his bed to keep him company if I was staying the night and would take grandma away.  He remembered that many years later and I now have that bear. 

Some other people that influenced my early childhood were my great grandparents and my great aunt Ruby.  Aunt Ruby taught me how to tie my shoes when I was little and also taught me how to play several card games.  My great grandparents listened to my stories and made me feel special when I was around.  My great grandpa always saved pennies in an aerosal can lid and when I would visit with my grandma he would give them to me.  We also had a neighbor that I would visit when I was little.  He lived across the street from us and I would carry my stuffed animals and dolls over there and sit on his porch and play.  He always listened and never asked me to leave.  He would often have to help me carry my things home, but he always had a smile on his face.  Looking back, I'm not sure if I enjoyed his company more or if he enjoyed mine! 

I grew up in a small community and all my aunts and uncles lived close and were an influence on my development and so were many of my teachers through the years.  I also was involved in girl scouts when I was young and participated in a youth group at church.  I was and still am a very lucky person to have so many people be a part of my life!  I guess I wouldn't be who I am today without each one of the people that have been in my life.