PRELUDE: Years 1-5

No one really remembers a whole lot from these years of their life, unless it be through photographs or stories related by others. What I do remember clearly about these years was my best friend, where I lived, and church.

My best friend was my older sister Deanna, who while I had lots of other buddies, was the person I most recall playing with, and the one I sought greatest approval from.  In general, she was the boss of our playtimes, but was fair about the games, so long as they worked withing a defined Deanna matrix. For example, it was okay for me to be Superman, so long as Superman sat down for tea, or did some housework before going off briefly to rescue some people trapped in a derailed train. Likewise, G.I. Joe was an acceptably rugged surrogate husband to Barbie(this was in the days when Joe had real hair, kung-fu grip, and actually towered over Ken by a half-inch). This was how we played, which was fine by me, 'cause I got to hang with my big sister.

We had this game which I now believe was made up, called Flying Statues. The reason I'm convinced it was made-up is because I don't recall there being any definitive set of rules. I know it involved being flung by whoever was 'it' across the yard, freezing in the position you landed in, and then pretending to be some sort of artistic monument until whoever was 'it' came around and guessed what you were supposed to be. Rather ambiguous for a children's game, but it was my favorite. Much better than T-ball.

At this age, I also enjoyed playing pretend by myself or with friends, imagining myself to be the Six Million Dollar Man, or any number of superheroes from the DC universe. Particularly Superman, Captain Marvel and Batman, as my mother had sewn realistic capes of these three heroes so I'd leave her dishtowels alone.

We lived in Fox Creek for most of those years, with a brief stint in Edmonton. Fox Creek is a small town (it's actually not even a town - it's a community, according to their website) located on what remains the edge of nowhere. It was even more nowhere in the 70's than it is today, surrounded by heavy brush. It's the kind of tree they refer to on programs where they're talking about wilderness survival.

I mostly remember it being really snowy. There was a shit-load of snow every year. One of my first real memories, not aided by photo but a genuine recollection is of a winter when we had so much snow in the front yard, we were jumping off the roof of the house into it. Actually, I didn't jump as I was too scared to do so and had to be chucked off the roof by a good friend of the family.

My parents were both Christians and so my childhood included very positive memories of the little church my parents helped start up. Sunday School was something I looked forward to , and going to church was a place to see friends, or play my ukelele in front of the congregation.

Unlike many of my generation, I had a really happy childhood, surrounded by family who loved me.