Entries tagged as ‘childhood’
“Yes, that’s it. Guys, I just want you to pay attention here, okay?”
It was Saturday morning and I was in practice with the junior dance company. I was 11 years old, in a room with girls ranging from 10 to 14 along with my dance teacher, Mark.
I stood with my back to the mirror, a short distance away from the barre. A couple of fellow dancers to my left, Mark to my right. Hands lightly on my hips, I pulsed my ribcage so my chest stuck out and my back curved. Then I showed the girls what the move looked like when I pulsed my ribcage inwards, sucking my belly in to meet my back, chest sinking. Mark laughed, “That’s exactly right.” (more…)
Categories: Life
Tagged: childhood, dance, discipline, florida, lessons, Life
In honor of Memorial Day . . .
Suicide, murder, abortion. Psychotic episodes, rape and incest. You name it, it’s probably happened within my family. Divorce? Alcoholism? So tame. The sh*t I heard whispered low on the phone after relatives thought I was asleep as little girl, or the shit my Mom has told me when she was angry (which is almost all the time) . . . that shit would make your head spin if you were anyone but me. I keep forgetting this shit isn’t “normal,” – that I have to explain it to people who didn’t grow up like this. (more…)
Categories: Family
Tagged: childhood, Family, florida, Life, relationships
(Note: If you are new to my blog, read these two stories first; Slow Pirouette for the Dancing Girl and The Baby Powder Incident.)
Caption: Christmas with my first foster mother, 1 year old.
Caption: Christmas with my first foster mother, 1 year old.
Twenty years ago this Christmas, I had recently moved to live with my grandparents in Florida. I left my foster home with Pearl in Boston with just the clothes I had on. I arrived at a house on the water with gardenia bushes out back with no toys and nothing to wear. I was starting over in the Sunshine State. I turned eight the month before Christmas. (more…)
Categories: Best Of · Family
Tagged: best, childhood, Family, florida, gratitude, Life, Writing
Wednesday was my Mom’s birthday. For many people who live far away from their parents, it’s probably not a big deal to call home, send a card, whatever it is you do to celebrate the birth of the woman who brought you into the world.
For me, it’s not quite like that. I hate to skip over chapters in the story to give you this piece, but it’s timely because it’s October and this month depresses the sh*t out of me for a number of reasons. This is even more weird to write about because, as I type this, my very best friend in the world is going into labor with her first child.
I don’t usually enjoy talking to my Mom. It sucks. I say,”I love my Mom,” like most people say, “I love long weekends,” or “I love Sam Adams beer.” Just doesn’t have that emotional ring to it. If you haven’t read up on previous chapters of my life, I suggest starting with “Slow Piroutte for the Dancing Girl,” and perhaps check out my conversation on Mother’s Day. (more…)
Categories: Family
Tagged: childhood, Family, Life, mentalillness, mom, Writing
Caption: Aunt Marianne, 2005.
I was raised by beauty queens. Living, breathing, pageanting beauty queens. I was put into modeling school in 4th grade. If you don’t believe me, I will call my aunt and have her dig up the footage and photos from the Crest Commercial I screen tested for. I sang, danced, did the 1/4 and full angel turns and learned the proper way to exit a car while wearing a skirt. I will say please and thank you, even if you are mean to me, because that is the proper thing for a lady to do.
When I moved to Florida, it was to live with my Grampa and his second wife, who I call my Grandma and who welcomed me into her side of the family like I was born into it. Grampa had seven kids (5 sons, 2 daughters), Grandma had six kids (all daughters), and besides my Mom and “real” grandmother, my entire family lived in Florida. (more…)
Categories: Best Of · Family
Tagged: best, biracial, childhood, Family, florida, Hair, Life, marriage, race
