sandy taylor

My childhood was a parade of places, meeting and making new friends and then moving on. I was the perpetual "New Kid", the one who arrived on the first day of school, not knowing anyone. There were two choices; learn to make friends fast, or eat lunch alone. When you're six, seven, eight years old, there's nothing worse than sitting alone, eating a PBJ and some carrot sticks while watching groups of friends eating and laughing together, sharing more interesting morsels than carrot sticks and sending side long glances your way, whispering behind their hands. Not even the notes my mother tucked into my lunch bag, telling me she loved me and to have a good day, could overcome the feeling of isolation, so I learned to make friends fast!
These many years later, I smile at those memories, knowing now what I didn't understand then. Those experiences forged my character, gave me an ability to talk to anyone, at any time, in any situation and to embrace many forms of communication, illustration, painting, designing and writing among them. I am grateful for every one of those moments; for every moment I'm experiencing now and for every moment to come. I am here, once again the new kid, looking forward to the wonderful people I'll meet and the excellent experiences that await me.