Disclaimer: This is part one in a series covering my journey to where I’m at now. This is more for me than it is for you, but you are welcome to read! Some things have never been passed on before, some things have been shared in limited circulation.
Apr 4th, 1982 – July(ish) 1987
I was born on April 4th 1982 to Lynda Elaine Wells and ___. I will not embellish on the blank space there, but I will acknowledge that there is definitely a blank there. Seeing as though this part only covers my first five years, there are limited memories during this time. I lived in Niceville, FL (yes, it IS very nice there, thanks for asking) with my mom and my grandparents, two of the most amazing people I’ve ever known. My uncle Scott lived nearby as well and was around often. My mom and uncle had two siblings, Karen and James, that had died at a young age, one at a month and the other at 1 year I believe. My mom was in college to be an elementary school teacher and drove an hour+ for school. She would leave me little notes and treat bags every day with baseball/football cards and other little treats. I spent my mornings with my grandparents. My grandfather was the most caring, loving man I’ve ever met. More on him in part 2. As I said, my Uncle Scott was around too. He was a “tough guy”. A biker. Long hair, leather, Harley, the whole package. I don’t remember ever hearing a harsh word from him. Looking back, I’m sure they were there, but all I remember was this man who seemed to model himself after my grandfather.
I do have several memories from this time period. I remember “tagging-along” on several dates with my mom and going to an “authentic” Chinese restaurant where we sat on the floor to eat. I remember going to visit some balding, curly-haired guy at this place where they made things out of clay. I can still remember the exact building it was in. I remember going to preschool at then OWJC (has gone through three conversions since then) and eating green eggs and ham with Mrs. Haight. I actually remember trying to escape my crib and my mom hearing me and calling my name. I froze with one leg half over the rail hoping she would forget and I could continue. She didn’t. I remember breakdancing to “Dancing on the Ceiling” and most importantly, I remember playing ping pong against the champion of Bonifay, FL.
Little did I know, this pong wizard’s name was Bruce Gagle…
(to be continued…)
