Influences: Early Life

Reading Gary Gruber's book, Seven Decades: A Learning Memoir, found me considering my own early influences, the moments that mattered. Like Gruber, I remember well so many of life's moments from my early days living in a three-decker on Pilgrim Avenue to now.

When I consider the highlights of my life, I recognize that there are many. The significant moments are small, but meaningful.

To being, I'll list those moments:

• Picture taking on the big steps on Pilgrim Ave.
• The dollhouse.
• The swing.
• The garden.
• The fishing trip.
• Finding a starfish.
• Water.
• Eddie, Randy, and Perry
• Patty
• Nana's
• Lacey
• Patty, Maureen, and Nancy
• Pignuts
• Babies
• Father Kardis
• Indian Hill
• Mr. Quist
• Vietnam
• The Diary of Anne Frank
• Jubilee
• Secret Garden
• The Bookmobile
• Drawing
• Holy Cross
• The Music Room
• Friends and Frisbee
• Truth
• Family Get Togethers
• Clyde
• White Walls
• The River
• Tubing
• Mountain Ponds
• An Old House in Errol
• Babies
• Laughter
• Warmth

Just a start of a list I'll return to to brainstorm more about the influences.