Photo-a-Day - November 2012 - Day 2: Ages 6-20

Photo-a-Day - November 2012 - Day 2:  LJ Ages 6-20

Easter at 6            8th grade grad - 11      Junior Prom - 16                    Chicago - 18

Growing up, I was painfully shy and insecure.  I had gone through the typical awkward stage and been teased about my looks. 

Even at age six, I hated having my picture taken.  Age 11 and 8th grade graduation was the first time I felt I could be attractive.  I loved that white dress.  I only wish I had that when I got married.  I felt very grown up, sophisticated.  It was the first time boys actually took notice of me.  But it didn't cure me of my insecurities.

My Junior Prom dress made me feel like a princess at age 16.  It was simple and elegant, the blew actually being richer than it shows.  Opera-length white gloves; I'm sorry girls no longer wear those as they give such a special feeling.  My hair--loved my hair.  It was teased to within an inch of it's life in front and gathered into a mass of curls in the back.  But, oh, what a nightmare to undo.  I remember my mom and I in the shower together with a wide comb and a ton of conditioner trying to get all the teasing out.  But, oh my, I looked wonderful the night before.

The photo on the far right is one of my favorite.  I arrived in Chicago just in time for the Democratic National Convention; not good timing.  I was there to attend a small junior college and I hated it.  However, it was there I met Christopher, with whom I spent eight years.  Among his other attributes, of which there were many, Christopher is the one person around whom I totally relaxed and trusted.  As a result, he is the only person who took really good photos of me.