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directions to where I am
Start in New York City at the height of the Miracle Mets world series. See the city from your perch on your dad's shoulders. Wear a "please do not feed this child" tag pinned to your shirt. Take a detour south to Peru for a couple of years. Be known on the playground as Andy because your hair is cut so short. Sing at the top of your lungs. Jump into outstretched arms, over and over. Fly back to the US and alight in Logan, UT for the rest of growing up.
Smell lilacs. Read unquenchingly, tucked into the crevice of a nubby beige sofa. Feel safe at the feet of the mountains. Go tubing on the creek. Drink ice cold grape soda from that same creek. Go to church under the trees. Sing "When Irish Eyes are Smiling." Sleep outside in a sleeping bag. Dance without caring what you look like. Hear repeatedly that your brother is so smart, your sister is so pretty. Wonder what you are. Spend hours in trees, with branches representing different rooms in your imaginary house. Sneak in the back of your best friend's dad's truck during the night so you can both surprise him at work at the bakery early in the morning. Be thrilled to have a new baby brother. Listen to your younger cousin tell you where babies come from--or rather, how they're made. Grow a big nose, get braces. Be happy when the rest of your face catches up to your nose and the braces come off.
Reluctantly grow up--be one of the girls who doesn't eagerly await all the teen girl accoutrements. Discover you can write. Chafe at always being the responsible one, the good one...rebel a little. Debate + go to nationals. Get elected. Play the flute. Be on both sides of unrequited love. Try hard and harder.
Major in English. Ask questions. Fall in like with a series of boys--a drummer, a cellist, a violinist (or two), a pianist, a hockey player--whose mothers adore you. Learn that this is not necessarily the key to romantic success. Meet up with a bass player who's just a friend. Move to England. Take up running. See Princess Diana four times and Prince Charles once. Exchange increasingly love-filled letters and tapes with the bass player.
Move back, marry bass player + put him through law school. Move from Salt Lake City to Boston to Washington, DC, to Boston. Have three babies. Be amazed at the depth of mama love. Cut sandwiches, hold hands, answer questions. Ask questions & follow where they lead. Be cherished. Move forward. Embrace it all. Start a blog. Write this. You're here.
Note: Ever since I read the author Stephanie Kallos's bio a couple of years ago, I've wanted to do my own. This is my answer to her invitation. Now you give me directions to you.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 | 15 Comments 
Reader Comments (15)
That was just beautiful - you are such a great writer. My favorite part was "hear how pretty your sister is, hear how smart your brother is..wonder what you are." Been there, done that. LOVED this post. Will be thinking of one for myself at some point.
What a FANTASTIC idea...really puts your life's path into perspective, doesn't it!?
Wow. You really are a gifted writer. Packs a lot in so few words. Loved it. I should try that.
How is it that we're such good friends and I didn't know you lived a few years in Peru? What other secrets lie in your closet?
loved this. dying to know who the piano player was...
neglected to add that i hope this is a starting point for your memoirs... would love to read the fleshed-out version.
Hi, I'm Christie's sis-in-law...I just clicked over from her blog and LOVED this post! You are a great writer...thank you for a great idea. I am going to do one too!
Wow, Thank you for your inspiration to become a better writer. This bio is gorgeous, I hope to write a bio similar to this someday soon. Again thank you!
Thank you for putting this online. Through the years I have periodocially tried to remember the name of the WONDERFUL poster/map that I spent so many hours pouring over. As a child this poster hung right next to my bed and as I laid there I could "journey" down the path and visit all the familiar characters. What a JOY to have it finally identified... and learn of a place to get a copy....
i want my children to have such a beautiful description of me as this. i grew up in logan, ut, too.
Amazing, isn't it, how our lives tear along. When you distill it, like you have done so beautifully, it creates a force of its own.
Keep writing. And thanks for the Letter to a Parent (?) page. Had great fun with that. What a close club it is. I suppose that's what love does, create a common denominator... one that we can all understand, and therefore can understand each other. Thank you!
Annie, I think we should talk. Let's say that I'm about 10 year behind you. My husband is getting a PhD in English (creative writing, fiction). I'm an English grad too. we have our own bookcases. :) What is this "class" you're teaching? I just applied for an MA in English, but hello! I have 2 little ones I adore at home with me. How will this work? If I'm accepted I'll be teaching and taking classes too (the only way we can afford both of us being in school is to teach for the stipend and tuition waiver)
So, in short, I'll keep reading to see if you can help me out. No pressure. :) So far it is great. Thanks.
this is probably one of the most beautiful pieces of writing i have ever seen. so simple. so perfect. awesome.
i love how the beginning of a blog shows completely different commenters than those you have now. i also love how you just "met" gab up here. who knew where this would all take you, huh?
fabulously written. it can't just be a coincidence that so many of my favorite bloggers are such outstanding writers.
I loved this so much. It was so perfectly written. You are a fabulous writer...I agree with all of the other comments about your amazing writing.