Childhood

I grew up as a pastor’s daughter, an identity that I largely shook when I left home at 18, but which played an undeniable role in my formation. In getting to know other pastor’s kids (PKs) over the years, I’ve found some common threads in our experiences; for example, the pressure of visibility, unfair expectations…

When I was 5 years old, my grandpa built me a dollhouse. Even as a little girl, I remember being amazed at the intricate bricks that formed the two-story-high walls and the individual shingles that topped the roof. The front side had a tiny front door which, if you pulled on the tiny handle, opened…

I’ve known Roommate Hannah since childhood. In fact, here’s a picture of her and me from the days of yore. That’s us at ages 10 and 15. This was around the time that Hannah thought that “Les Miserables” was, in fact, “Lame is Rob” – which is basically the best thing I have ever heard….

I bring you this special weekend blog scrap just to announce that my brother used to think the phrase was “throw kosh into the wind.” Tremendous!

I have negative triceps. There’s, like, nothing there. If my arms were outerspace, there would be a black hole where my triceps are supposed to be. Haha, PHYSICS JOKE!!! Science is sooooo funny. I am 3 1/2 years older than my sister Becca, so when I was 15 and basically the same size I am…

Remember that time in 4th grade when my class had a contest to see who could best sing Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You”? I suppose I haven’t mentioned it yet. Any willing participant had a chance to stand in front of the class with the Walkman headphones on and sing…

One time, when I was 5, we lived next door to a girl my age.  Her grandparents gave her a Popple.  I wanted it so badly that I asserted my Alpha Girl status, and she gave it to me. A few days later when her grandparents found out she gave it away, they sent her…

For as much as I love cheese – which, trust me, my devotion is infinite and everlasting – I rarely eat grilled cheese.  Chalk it up to just another childhood overdose – I never eat peanut butter & jelly, either.  Grilled cheese lost its appeal before Clinton took office. Which is why it was shocking…

You know how sometimes, a long-forgotten memory will make its way to the surface for no apparent reason?  All of a sudden, the scene is playing in your mind – like a film projector on an old bed sheet, nostalgic home video remembrances of life before you knew the things you know now. The other…

–    “When You Wish Upon a Star” –    Geppetto’s wish that a puppet would become a real boy.  What? –    Creepy Blue Fairy –    Cricket as conscience –    “Give a Little Whistle” –    Honest John (wicked fox).  MISLEADING. –    Figaro (pet cat, unclothed, walks on all-4’s), and Gideon (mute cat, clothed, walks like a human). …