Hi. I’m new.
Oh…introduce myself? Oh…um, okay.
Once there was this time when my mom’s husband left and we came home to no furniture in our house. Even the brown-ish plaid, scratchy stuff that was ours when it was just me and Mama. But that seems…yeah…not what you’re looking for.
Then there was the time we were a family with a home. A mom and a dad and two kids, sort of cramped into a single-wide, but not really cramped at all. And then we moved to a new home. And then one day we saw our old home and all its memories being pulled down the road and we cried, Mama and I. But, well…that’s probably not what you meant, either.
But what about that time I went to school and I was bullied for being smart because I always said what I thought? Or a girl with a weird idea about fashion who carried a teddy-bear backpack? What about when the kids called me “cow” and mooed at me when I walked down the hall? What about when I went home crying every day because the kids were so mean?
Oh, that’s not right either…
What about the times when I sat at my apartment, lonely and homesick, after I moved away from home for a new start?
What about being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in college and with postpartum depression and anxiety after I became a mom? Yeah, that’s…that’s, uh, depressing.
Wait! No. Let me try again.
What about the summers I spent on my Pops’ farm feeding piglets with bottles and chasing turkeys and chickens and picking fresh blueberries and pretending I was sailing off on some grand adventure in the upstairs of the playhouse he built for me and my cousins?
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What about knowing that even if there wasn’t much money, there was love? Lots and lots of love.
What about when, after we’d all grown up a little bit, we became friends, those bullies and I? And what about when those bullies and those experiences made me a better, more sympathetic teacher?
What about that night I went out with my roommate? Finally. And met the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with when he stole a kiss through an open window.
What about the time I realized that the battles I’ve fought with PPD/A, no matter how awful at times, have made me stronger? Braver? Tenacious?
What about that time when Joshua said ‘Mama…tee!’ and handed me a train so I could play with him because no one plays trains quite like Mama does?
What about that time I realized this life thing I have is pretty awesome?
What about that?
This was written in response to The Red Dress Club’s weekly memoir prompt.
We were asked to write about one episode of our lives that defines us.
wow!! how about that!! I remember those animal backpacks, lol.
I think a boyfriend gave it to me so I just HAD to carry it. Even though everyone laughed and laughed at me for it. And looking back? Yeah, it was kind of ridiculous.
Well done, a totally different spin on the prompt than I would have expected but I really enjoyed reading it. I truly got to know you and I like your style. 😉 So, uhm, hi – nice to truly *meet* you.
It’s hard to pick just ONE event that best introduces me! So? Many events in the pursuit of one! Win!
Nice to “meet” you, too!
I love all the different experiences that you hit on. I like your interpretation on the prompt, maybe because I had such a tough time with it 🙂 Great writing!
At first I thought it was going to be so easy! Turns out? Not easy at all!
Every single one of those moments were a perfect representation of what makes you who you are!
Your post was very well written.
You inspire me not only to be a better writter but to kick this PPD/A
Thank for that. Really. Memoir writing is way harder than I thought it would be. And you WILL kick the PPD/A. You will.
i love this. it’s perfect.
Thank you!
I like how you wrote this. There are so many moments in our lives that define who we are and shape our worlds.
I found it hard to find that one moment and finally just wrote the first thing that came to mind.
There was just no way to pick ONE defining moment of my life. I mean? If I chose when I became a mother, did the rest just not matter? Or if I chose spending summers on my grandpa’s farm, what did that say about the rest of it?
I love your take on the prompt! It was so interesting to see various snapshots from your life.
Visiting from TRDC 🙂
Thanks! I couldn’t pick just one event!
I really enjoyed your prompt. Also your new home looks fabulous on you. I mean, I can’t tell the difference, JP did a great job!
Thanks! And, thanks 🙂 One more hop to go and then we’re settled for good. Whew.
I loved this…it’s like looking through a photo album of your life, and watching you grow stronger in each picture. Great writing.
Thank you! I tried to pair a dark experience with a lighter one to balance the story.
You rock. A lot.
Um, so do you 🙂
Awesome. I love how you talk about the depression and then end on such a positive note!
Despite the depression, I still think my life is pretty A-ok. Great, even.
I loved your take on the prompt. I loved how much I got to learn and you and how much more I wanted of each story you gave us a glimpse of.
I couldn’t pick just one! It was impossible!
What a great take on this prompt! I love how you encompassed so many things.
Thanks!
I love how you approached this…suddenly I don’t feel so alone! but you did it better! You SHOWED those moments! Love!
Eek! Thanks! From you? That means a lot!
This was very well done. I think I know you, a little 🙂 Will you come play trains with me? LOL
Visiting from RDC
That is his FAVORITE thing to do right now! I love it!
Read about the prompt at the bottom after I’d read through the rest – fab interpretation! Loved getting all those little glimpses into your world 😀
Thanks! I couldn’t pick just one event that defines me!
I like the way you treated this prompt! What a unique way to show defining moments!
Thank you!
This was just…perfect. Creative and transparent. I loved every word. Truly.