The First Few Years.....

POLLY...

I really don't remember much before the age of four. Although, every once in a while I receive a glimpse of a memory when I was much younger. These are a few my first memories.

Being dressed up like a gypsy and going Trick or Treating with my Daddy. According to my Mother, I was about 2-3 years old. I can remember the brightly colored sequined head scarf, the yellow vest, and red skirt which was covered in multi colored sequins. I got very tired and towards the end of the evening, my Dad carried me home. I remember resting my head in the crest of his neck and smelling his Old Spice after shave. Daddy had a strange walk, or gait. He seemed to have a slight limp. When he would take step forward one foot seemed to drag the pavement. Even though I was young, I recognised that there was something wrong with his walk. Little did I know, that this was one of the first symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis of which he suffered.

Being in my parents bed suffering from a very painful earache. I remember the room, the window curtains and everything that was on the top of my Mom's dresser. I remember looking at a beautiful bottle of perfume and thinking I want a pretty bottle like that someday. This pretty bottle held my Mother's signature scent...Shalimar. I liked being in my parents bed because it was "cool." I was running a high fever and the cool sheets felt good to my hot skin. My Mother says that this memory took place when I was about two. She remembers my earache and how helpless she felt. The only pain relief she had to offer me was warm Sweet Oil which she dripped into my ear. She told me that this happened on a Sunday. She had to wait until the next day to take me to the doctor as there was no place to take me for treatment that night.

I remember hiding under the canvas that covered my brothers bike. The bike was stored on our front porch in Norfolk, VA. I had a very small record player which only played small 38 children's records. My favorite songs were All Through The Night and the Mice Song from Cinderella. My favorite doll was named Polly. She was a Mama doll, which meant that when I tipped her over, she cried Mama. She had blue glass eyes. She had a hand painted face. She had pink cheeks and red lips. To me, she was beautiful. She wore a beautiful embroidered, pink smocked, satin dress, a matching bonnet, and lace edged socks with little leather shoes. To this day, Polly remains my favorite doll. Santa brought Polly to me on my third Christmas.

My Daddy was gone for long periods. He was in the Navy. My Mom was a great cook. She always made heart shaped homemade cakes for my birthday.I was able to entertain myself easily. I had a great imagination and enjoyed playing by myself. My Mom was always busy cooking, baking, washing, and ironing. I was always at her feet playing. I remember that we talked and sang. But, I never remember playing with her. I think she was just too busy trying to take care of us alone. We had a wringer washing machine which was kept on the back porch. She used to keep me in a chair by using a towel tied around my waist. We didn't have a fence and she was fearful that I would get lost. She often mentions that she was fearful of getting her fingers caught in the wringer.

To me, my Mother was beautiful. I thought she was a "movie star." I was convinced that she secretly made movies. Every once in a while our family would go to a movie. I remember saying, "Oh Mama, you are so beautiful." She didn't know that I thought the brunette actress in the film was her.

All of my early memories are sweet. As I have grown, I have learned that I was a fortunate little girl. My parents loved me, and I knew it.