I found this photo while searching for another photo. Too bad I didn't find it when I was actually looking for it a few months ago when I wrote this post about my dad's love of Volksvagen cars.I think my dad snapped this photo. He always loved photographing us in and alongside his cars. My mom's photo albums are filled with us near his many vehicles. I think maybe he loved us as much as those cars and what better way to make him happy than to have his two babies in a picture--"two babies" meaning one kid and one car.
Today I marvel at how thin I once was. I can't recall ever feeling so lightweight and free. I honestly do not remember being skinny enough to wear a skimpy top revealing my belly button. I wish I could remember how I felt that exact day.
It reminds me a bit of that Twilight Zone episode where the retirement home folks are magically transformed back into their little-kid bodies running around playing kick the can. I'd love to have just five minutes where I can transform into a ten- year-old body. No need for makeup or underwire ... and short shorts? I haven't worn anything shorter than a capri in about fifteen years.
It reminds me a bit of that Twilight Zone episode where the retirement home folks are magically transformed back into their little-kid bodies running around playing kick the can. I'd love to have just five minutes where I can transform into a ten- year-old body. No need for makeup or underwire ... and short shorts? I haven't worn anything shorter than a capri in about fifteen years.
I don't remember the particular day this picture was taken, so I can't provide a fun rundown of what I was thinking or doing that sunny day. Based upon my bizarre outfit (pink socks and blue Mary Janes), I'm guessing it was summer. I always brag about how Mom let us wear whatever we wanted to.
She let me pick out my outfits and firmly believed that unless I was dressed inappropriately, it was up to me to decide what I felt like wearing. She had once read that letting kids pick out their attire allows them a certain sense of independence and creativity. Too bad the nuns didn't see it that way. Every class trip, they'd force us to wear shiteous corduroy pants or skirts paired with collared shirts
She let me pick out my outfits and firmly believed that unless I was dressed inappropriately, it was up to me to decide what I felt like wearing. She had once read that letting kids pick out their attire allows them a certain sense of independence and creativity. Too bad the nuns didn't see it that way. Every class trip, they'd force us to wear shiteous corduroy pants or skirts paired with collared shirts
It's awesome that Mom was so strong in this belief, because my crazy hairdos and clothing in high school would make most parents cringe. She felt that as long as I wasn't taking drugs or appeared to be drinking or smoking, this was simply my way of expressing my individuality and it was.
My 1990 yearbook photo--half a hairdo
(buzzed along the side and back)
You look adorable and happy in that first pic, and beautiful in the second. I remember when "bugs" were the new cool cars to drive. My neighbor accidentally crashed one onto its side while driving with my brother. It was so light, they just propped it back up.
ReplyDeleteFun memories!
Robyn
Awww, what a cutie. Love the pink knee socks.
ReplyDeleteAine
Slug bug! My friends and I always played that game, but I was always too slow and would always end up with a bruised arm.
ReplyDeleteI think I mentioned this before, but it's always seemed like the half buzz hairdo was the ultimate sign of rebellion....
You and the VW is just adorable. And I wish my mom had let me pick out my own clothes etc when I was little.
ReplyDeleteNICE SOCKS! LOL
ReplyDeleteBuzzed along the side and back as in a skater's cut?
Thanks for your comments, everyone!
ReplyDelete@Asblackasobama - "slug bug" wow, in NY it was called "punch buggy" - that's pretty funny.
@Erica - think of it this way, you probably look way more stylish in your kiddie pix!
@Ian - I love ya, but you need a beat down.
I love old pictures, and you are so cute in that first pic! I love that episode of the Twilight Zone. I too, wish that I could be taken back to that time. I was a fat kid though from the age of like 6 until I was 12. I'd rather be taken back to the age of 4, maybe 5. I don't know.
ReplyDeleteBTW...the socks are awesome.
My wife and I tend to let our daughter do the same thing when it comes to clothes but when she is wearing a short hot pink too-too with pink Capri's and pink Hello Kitty shirt was a bit much for me to go to Target with. So yes I made her change the too-too.
ReplyDeletePunch Bug! That was fun unless you lost.
Oh and when I was in junior high all the rebel girls had the half buzz cut.
Back when I was a teenager, I could eat a cheeseburger and still lose 5 pounds.
ReplyDeleteI really miss those days.
@Sam so do I!
ReplyDelete@Jerry HELLO KITTY! She's my fave. Our entire bathroom is decorated in HK. I even have a HK hair dryer :) In my HS everyone had BIG hair. It was the area and the times.
@Joe people always say that, at least in my case I've never known what that's like though it was easier to lose weight back in those days.
Geez, I can't wait to let my son pick out his own clothes. Actually - no. He prefers to be naked. It's like home from daycare and the pants come off.
ReplyDeleteSee I like that '90 hairstyle. Reminds me of 80s singer/siren Jane Child! FYI...I think my parents' picked out my clothes 'til I was 38. Last month, I just got rid of my Zips sneakers.
ReplyDeleteI swear I had the EXACT same halter and shorts. Dig the knee highs!
ReplyDeleteThey were so hot too, why did we have to wear them?!
You're beautiful. What I would give to be skinny again. Really. I always thought I was FAT before. A few months ago I started looking through my old pictures. There was nothing fat about me then. I'm working on it. :o)
ReplyDeleteHaha. Did you realize that both 'girl standing in front of car' pictures would show up next to each other? I can see your dad's logic, but it's still kind of funny. I think we all look back at our childhood pictures and think: "was I ever really like that?!"
ReplyDeletehttp://lifebeginsat30ty.blogspot.com
I told my mom when I was 6 that I wanted to stay that age forever. I think I was on to something.
ReplyDeleteCute picture of you! And your mom sounds awesome. I was lucky enough to have a mom like that as well, who let me shave my head when I was 15 and wear my father's clothes.
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe that kids need to be free to express themselves too!