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Deficit Disorder (“ADD”) at the age of 29 or 30. As far as I

know, neither my parents or grandparents had
schizoaffective disorder, severe depression, severe anxiety,
or ADD.

I was as emotionally stable as any other child. I loved
playing by myself or with friends. I had a great deal of

empathy for others. For instance, at the age of 5 and 6, I
would cry when certain cartoon characters would get hurt.
Even when I took my children to see The Lion King, I cried
when Simba started blaming himself for his father's death. I
know that I cannot be the only adult that cried during that
part though! The one big characteristic besides being

independent was that I liked to talk, a lot.

I spent most of my younger years singing to my
parent’s old 45 records, but as soon as I was old enough, I
was running in the Texas heat with my friends! I would find
locust shells to hook to my shirt just to get a rise out of my

mother. I'd also laugh when guzzling down cold milk after
playing outside because my mom would have a disgusted
look on her face. She still hates milk. The heat didn't bother
me, unless I had to run laps in the sun during tennis lessons.
I usually got out of it though by asking my coach if I could go

lay down in the air-conditioned trailer on the property.

My mom valued manners. She taught me to respect
people and answer, “Yes ma’am” and “No ma’am” to elders.
She also taught me to think of other people’s feelings. She

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