February 3, 1980

Dear Journal,

Today is my birthday. My mom and dad gave me this journal. She said write about my favorite things. I have lots of favorite things! My favorite subject at school is reading. My favorite outfit is a pink skirt that has satin ribbons on it. My favorite movie star is Leif Garret, and my favorite TV show is Charlie’s Angels. My favorite color is baby blue. My favorite flower is a pink rose. I like being 12 because I am older now, a woman and can babysit. My favorite thing to do is to draw and read books.

My Favorites

My favorite song is ‘With a Little Love”, and my favorite books are Little Women, Don’t Take Teddy, and Nancy Drew mysteries. My favorite food is pizza, and mom’s lemon chicken. My favorite time of year is #1 Christmas. #2 Birthday. #3 Spring. My favorite possession is my Raggedy Anne and Andy stuff. My favorite animal is my Shetland pony Ginger and my puppy Benny.

I try to do lots of stuff without being reminded. My list is: clean my room, pay my tithing, brush my teeth, say my prayers, write thank you notes for stuff, try to get along with my brother and sisters, go to church, say please and thank you, tell the truth, do my homework, say nice stuff about other people, smile and keep a secret. 

That is a LOT of writing today! Happy 12th Birthday to Me!

Love,

Cynthia

Hind-Site:

I was a pretty goofy kid, and oblivious to the big world around me. I was innocent and very naive.

This is the inscription from my mother, in the front of my journal. She was herself only 38 years old at that time.

Dear Cynthia,

This is for your 12th birthday. Your daddy and I wish you a very happy year. One full of learning, fun times, spiritual moments and personal growth. You are now on the threshold of womanhood. A rose yet unfolded; but fresh and beautiful, and fragrant with promise. This year will be a good one to start a journal, and recording your life story. Be honest about your ups and downs and write your real feelings. Years from now this little journal will be fun to read too. You can relive precious moments and cry and laugh about them again and again.

We love you always,

Mom & Dad

February 4, 1980

Dear Journal,

I have a pet named Ginger. She is so pretty. She is a Shetland Pony. Michael and Jody gave her to me for my birthday. Michael rides a big horse named Joe now. He is happy that Ginger has a happy home with me. I have another pet. His name is Benny. He is named after a boy at church I love named Benjamin D. He is so cute! He has blonde hair and wears glasses. My puppy has blonde hair too, and one floppy ear. He is 1/2 German Shepherd and 1/2 Collie. I love him so much!

I Love Animals!

We have a family dog. Her name is Snowflake. When I was a baby her name was the first word I ever said. “No fayke” or sort of like that. She is a small dog. Mom says she is a Heinz 57. Dad says she is a Terrier. I used to think he said Terror. Ha Ha! That is funny because she is so sweet and smart and kind. She is a best friend to me. She had puppies, but not anymore. Probably because we live in the canyon with no more little dogs for her boyfriends.

We have lots of cats. My favorite kitten is Soda Pop. His back legs are deformed so he hops around and is so so cute!

My cat’s name is Misty. I got her at Fort Ord on Vacation. She was a stray. She is a calico. She had 8 kittens when we got home from vacation! We stayed at a camp ground near the Army fort. My dad had military training every day. We camped at a great place. It had a fun jungle gym and a tall rocket ship to climb into. When we went home we couldn’t find Misty. So my dad drove really slow and I put my head out the window and called her. I was crying and praying to find her! I found her, and it was a misty day like the first day I found her. That is why her name is Misty!

I love love love animals! But that is a lot to write about today.

Love,

Cynthia

Hind-Site:

I now lived in the country and was thrilled to be able to have more than one pet! Before this we had Snowflake and the occasional cat. The animals were my go to for sad days and listening ears. I knew they kept my secrets.

February 5, 1980

Dear Journal,

I am very good at lots of stuff: I can hop on one foot, do a somersault, run backwards, swim, balance a book on my head, ride a bike, roller skate, jump rope, stand on my head, twirl a baton, ride my pony Ginger, speak Pig Latin, bake cookies and pancakes, and diaper a baby. I can mow the lawn, and do a lot of math. I help mom in the garden.

Things I am Afraid of

I am very afraid of riding in an airplane, and of going around on things really fast! I am afraid when I go high on a mountain, or up in the air like a balcony. I do not like liver, beets, snakes, spiders, sharks, ghost stories, or popping balloons.

I have traveled a lot. I live in California. I have been to Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Disneyland and Marine-land. Some day I want to go to Mexico with Grandma Ella and Grandpa Walt. My mom won’t let me go. I don’t know why. She wont let Beth or Lena go either, and they are big. When I am a grown-up I will take a trip around the world. I will be a mommy, drive a car and be a school teacher. I will also write stories for children. I want to discover why we hiccup and cure that disease.  I also want to be a pediatric counselor and work with adopted children.  

Love,

Cynthia

Hind-Site:

I would have never guessed that I would adopt special needs children or go to a university to get a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Maybe my 12 year old self was smarter, because it took me many years to figure it out as an adult!