Treasures From My Youth

Recently, with more than a little help from my step-mom, I cleaned out my basement. I found an innumerable number of treasures - including a hand knitted, yellow sweater with the monogram, "Tracy."

Tracy was my given middle name. I changed my middle name to my maiden name and ditched the Tracy when I married, but I used to love it.

When I was about 3 years old I went through a stage where I wanted everyone to call me Tracy. I've heard stories from my mother and seen the evidence. One time, she told me, she came to pick me up from Sunday School after her church service, and the director said there was no one there by my name. When she pointed to me, the woman said, "She told me her name was Tracy!"

Another instance of my Tracy fixation is evidenced by an old newspaper photo of me and several other children. I'm standing there smiling, holding up a holiday coloring sheet from the local grocery store.  I assume I must have colored it better than any other 3 year old.  Although, I'm surrounded by other kids holding up their own, so maybe not? Regardless, my drawing and I were asked to be in the photo.

Below the picture is a list of the participant's names, and I am listed as "Tracy MyLastname." Ha ha!

I guess I was going through an early identity crisis or something. I still love that yellow sweater. So glad I found it.