Childhood questions

12. I was a healthy kid, but I think I was sick more than most. I always seemed to have an ear infection or cold. But I used them to my advantage to get out of school.  I had pneumonia, I broke my arms a couple of times and of course I had chicken pox. I was sick and missed my class trip to Jefferson City in fourth grade. Mostly, I’d say I was healthy.  

13. I don’t think I had one favorite toy, but my favorites were always stuffed animals. There was a tornado when I was in first grade, and the whole time during it I was holding onto my stuffed dog. It was comforting to have it there. I had another stuffed dog, and a while after I got it, I found two small dogs that looked like it, so I would pretend they were its puppies and I had to help take care of them, and they all had to sleep in my bed with me. It was just nice to have them around.

21. I feel like my personality is almost the same as when I was a child. I’m still quiet and keep to myself. I don’t have the same taste in movies and television as when I was little, but I don’t consider that a bad thing. I still get nervous at new situations, but now I don’t burst out crying when I’m nervous. I’m not as excitable as when I was little, but I think most people get like that, everything is a such a big deal when you’re little.

27. I think my first away from home experience was in fourth grade. My grandparents took me to Alaska to visit my uncle. It was the first time in a long time that I had spent away from my parents. I was excited, but my mom was crying, she didn’t want me to leave. When I think back, I feel like I should have felt the same way as her, nervous and homesick, but I really wasn’t, I was just really excited.

33. I don’t know if I ever thought about my teenage or adult life that much. I always thought about when I’m older and out of school, I could do anything I want. I hated being stuck in school all day (I still do) while the rest of the world goes on outside.  I just knew I was ready for a little more freedom.