Snippets from my five-year diary.

April 15.

*1970 (age 12): Vicki and I went bike riding to Safeway and Family Farmacy. Went to her house and at dinner over there.

Love the way I spelled ‘Pharmacy.’ We used to ride bikes all over and Safeway and Family Pharmacy were two of our favorite destinations to go hang out and look around. (Wish I’d added more information about why we liked going there so much.)

*1971 (age 13): Thurs. Hot Dog Day – they were good.

And that’s all she wrote! But hey, the decorative writing made up for a short entry.

*1972 (age 14): Sat. Cathy came over – we went (then) with Vicki to Lucky Boy (a hamburger place) and each had a milkshake.

Nice that I explained what Lucky Boy was. Another one of our favorite places to go to. Not sure how we got there – walked, biked, parents took us – but a milkshake with friends was always a plus.

*1973 (age 15): Sun. Packed and left for Diana’s Grandma’s in Turlock. When Mom & Dad were gonna leave I started to feel homesick so Bobby stayed.

While I remembered my brother Bob had stayed with me that week, I’d forgotten why. I was afraid of being in a new place (though I never told anyone at the time). I’m glad I ended up staying because we had a lot of fun. Read tomorrow’s entry to see one of my all-time favorite memories.

*1974 (age 16): Mon – Well today was back to school. Found out I got an “A” on the Driver’s Ed test we took last Friday.

Going back to school after a week’s vacation was always hard. But, finding out I got an “A” in Driver’s Ed must have made it all worthwhile. Because after Driver’s Ed was Driver’s training, which meant actual driving!

~~~

Note to self: Sometimes the things that seem the hardest to do are the ones that will bring the most rewards. Throughout your life, you’ll let fear stop you. But, one day you’ll realize facing that fear makes it less scary. Not that it will be easy, but at least try to take another step forward. Each time you do that, it will get easier. Trust me, I know.