You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” 

                                                                                    -  Amy Bloom

There are times in our early lives that can have a profound effect on us and continue to impact us into our adult years. 

One such instance happened to me when I was about nine years old and led me to create a self-image, I would carry with me for most of my life.  

I was at my cousin’s house playing with a group of six other kids.  We were being led in our play by my cousin’s neighbor, Johnny, who was a year or two older than me. 

Johnny was slender, with brownish-red hair and freckles.  He was also extremely charismatic.  Everybody loved Johnny and wanted to be like him.  He was always the ringleader of our activities.  Parents loved him, too, and he would often be seen doing his stand-up comedy routine for a circle of delighted adults during social gatherings.

I really loved being with Joh...

“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” 

                                                                                    -  Amy Bloom

There are times in our early lives that can have a profound effect on us and continue to impact us into our adult years. 

One such instance happened to me when I was about nine years old and led me to create a self-image, I would carry with me for most of my life.  

I was at my cousin’s house playing with a group of six other kids.  We were being led in our play by my cousin’s neighbor, Johnny, who was a year or two older than me. 

Johnny was slender, with brownish-red hair and freckles.  He was also extremely charismatic.  Everybody loved Johnny and wanted to be like him.  He was always the ringleader of our activities.  Parents loved him, too, and he would often be seen doing his stand-up comedy routine for a circle of delighted adults during social gatherings.

I really loved being with Jo...