Childhood Memories

Waking up to the sound of breaking glass, I walked down the hall and went into my aunt's room. My six year old brain couldn't quite wrap around what had happened. My aunt was drunk, almost lifeless, yet breathing heavily, and in a deep sleep. She apparently made one of her boyfriends angry. As I scooted beside her naked body, I immediately felt the sharp sting of broken glass. There was also a brick lying on the bed. Quickly I realized that I must get up and go back to my own bed because there was nowhere to lay without lying on a bed of glass. I decided to get in bed with my sister, Terry. "Don't touch me with your feet," she said. I turned over and went back to sleep.

Around this time, my aunt dropped us off one Sunday at a church close to our house. I will never forget walking into the classroom. The chairs were in a circle and the teacher was smiling. She looked like someone I could go home with and be safe. "We are so glad you are here, David." She then led the class into singing, "We're Glad You Are Here" to the tune of "Happy Birthday." It was the first time I remember going into a church. It was also the first time I can remember feeling emotionally touched because of someone's kindness.

The teacher had no idea of my background as I walked into her room that day, but she sure did make me feel that someone loved me.