Memoir Draft 1

Little kids will lie.

They will lie about the candy they ate before dinner, the number of hours they spent watching TV, and the five dollar bill they may or may not have taken. Though it is unfavorable to exercise the frustrating interrogation that follows a child’s lie, often times it is when they tell the truth that the most damage is done. Children can be brutally honest due to their lack of awareness regarding societal norms, and unfortunately, situations such as this have happened to me on more than one occasion.

“You’re really pretty.” I looked down at the seven-year-old girl’s cheerful face beaming up at me.

“Aw that’s so sweet, but you are the prettiest!” I told her. “But you look like you have bumps on your face what is that?”

Her words hit me like a jab in the side. Another particular instance was when I sat down on the couch and she said, “Oh my gosh! You’re making the couch tip! You’re fat!” I responded with a forced smile and suggested we keep watching the movie; she was just a seven-year-old and had managed to pick out every single one of my insecurities, oblivious to the searing impact it had on my very young and fragile mind. I had to remind myself that I was the mature one now and that was a good thing. She was just a kid.

In the second draft of my memoir I will delve further into some various experiences throughout my childhood in which I examine my experience growing up, and where the line exists that distinguishes childhood from adulthood. I want to talk about the struggles of being on both sides and what my experiences have taught me. I also want to discuss what I learned from my role model as a child and about being a role model for others.