Memories really are just where you laid them...

*Rough Draft*
"You know it's funny what a young man recollects? 'Cause I don't remember bein' born. I don't recall what I got for my first Christmas and I don't know when I went on my first outdoor picnic. But I do remember the first time I heard the sweetest voice in the wide world." -Forrest Gump

It's funny how some memories - especially the traumatic ones (positive & negative) - stay with us, while other, less significant events are lost in the past.
I can remember being three years old & in pre-school. I met my first "boyfriend" there. His name was Nicky. I met my first best friend, Erin.
I recall being five & watching daytime TV with my Dad, eating lunch with him & then going to kindergarten for the afternoon.
My first day of first grade was very traumatic. I had never spent a whole day in school before. I couldn't understand. I cried - sobbed & screamed - when my Mom dropped me off. I refused to let go of her - my teacher, Mrs. Finnegan, pried my tiny fingers from my mother & ushered me in line with the rest of my classmates - some upset, some eager.
One of my Christmas presents that year was a trip to Disney World with my Mom & my big brother.
In second grade, I met my second best friend, MaryKate, who didn't really become my best friend until the fifth grade.
First Reconciliation and First Communion were that year & I was so uncomfortable my puffy, itchy white dress. Mom told me I looked beautiful & I couldn't wait to put on some shorts & a t-shirt!
The summer between second & third grades was the most traumatic by far: my infamous nose job in the Pocono Mountains!
In third grade I played Clara Barton. I wore some of my Mom's old clothes, practiced all my lines & was the only girl in my group. I guess that was my first memorable interaction with boys.
Fourth grade was...tough.
Fifth grade wasn't too bad.
That was the year I started dancing. I didn't want to start taking lessons, but Mom insisted. Turned out to be a lot of fun, actually. That's right, Mom, I admit it!
Sixth grade was a lot more difficult.
In seventh grade, we went to Disney World for the second time.
Eighth grade proved to be much smoother than previous years. Then I graduated from grade school! I am a member of the Class of 2002! Okay, that's just scary...