The Dough-like Child

I recently discovered this picture of myself at around age one. Same frizzy hair – yikes! What shaped that soft dough-like child into the person I am today?

With DNA from Dutch and Irish ancestors I was formed by millions of choices my parents made every day. Which books and TV shows to allow, which vacations, which friends, which schools. How much criticism, how much encouragement? They did their best at the time but made some mistakes of course.

I was famously afraid of purple foods but would sing for anyone who would listen. With big feet, knock-knees and poor coordination I was nonetheless strong and LOUD. Middle children have to be.

Little by little I also shaped myself. I tested the boundaries and learned which rules were worth breaking. I studied the adults around me, finding inspiration and cautionary tales. Along the way I learned the advantages of being quieter, even diplomatic on occasion.

It seems miraculous now that that little human became this 72-year-old me. I’m not afraid of purple foods anymore but I’ve found a constructive outlet for my voice. My debut novel, The Badass Widows, is out in the world and I’m starting another. I feel so grateful for this life!

Last week I attended the Local Author Book Fair at Book Passage in Corte Madera. In the picture below, I am with Mary Alice Stevens and Jean Gordon Kocienda. I sold lots of books and had so much FUN!