30 Years in 30 Days--1983

I went to kindergarten this year, something that I had been dying to do forever. We lived next door to the catholic school I went to, and always saw the kids outside playing. Sadly, my papa died in May, giving me my very 1st experience with death. The space shuttle Challenger made its 1st voyage in to space carrying Sally Ride. Compact discs debuted and the last episode of M.A.S.H aired. The Big Chill was a big movie that year. Fun Fact, I’ve been told that I look like Meg Tilly in The Big Chill on several occasions. I don’t see it, but what do you think?

30 Years in 30 Days--1982

I turned 4 this year and my grandfather, Papa, got very sick. He was in and out of the hospital. I shoplifted for the first (ok, only) time taking a package of gumdrops from our local drug store. Michael Jackson released “Thriller”. I had the record “The Chipmunks Sing ‘Thriller’” where The Chipmunks sand the entire album. John Belushi died of a drug overdose at the age of 33.

30 Years in 30 Days--1981

My parents bought their first house this year, and for good reason. I was no longer an only child! My brother M was born in August and I was thrilled. I spent my days home with my mother and him having a grand time. My great uncle bought me a plastic slide that we kept in our family room, which gave me countless hours of enjoyment. I loved to watch The Muppet Show on Friday nights. MTV began broadcasting this year, and Ronald Regan took office.

30 Years in 30 Days--1980

As I began to turn in to an actual person, as opposed to a baby, my preferences toward people were clear. For whatever reason I was terrified of certain aunts and uncles. My mother’s father though, my Papa, was my very best friend. I was the only grandchild on that side of the family at the time, and our bond was amazing—so amazing that I remember it even now, 28 years later. I finally had some hair and my mother took great joy in putting as many barrettes as she could cram in to my hair. This year marked the beginning of the greatest decade in music history, in my opinion. John Lennon was killed this year, Kramer Vs. Kramer won The Academy Award for Best Picture, and Ted Turner launched CNN.

30 Years in 30 Days--1979

My family had a longstanding tradition of placing a shot glass, a rosary or money in front of a child on their first birthday to see if they would be a drunk, rich or clergy. All three of these were placed on my high chair tray when I turned one in 1979. I chose the rosary, not because I was pious, but because I just loved my Gramma’s beads. This was the year my milk allergy went full blown and my diet was changed to include a whole lot of soy milk (and it wasn’t anything like what it is today). I was still bald as a cue ball and remained so until just before I turned 2. My vocabulary improved to include repeating anything and everything that I heard. My mother’s favorite quote: “This fucking rabbit!” When my rabbit jack in the box would not work properly. John Wayne and Nelson Rockefeller died this year.

30 Years in 30 Days--1978

I was born October 14, 1978 in Buffalo, NY. Jimmy Carter was the president and Sony introduced the first walkman. To this day, my mother tells stories of how my uncles, who were 16 and 18 at the time, were waiting for my father and her to come home with me, smoking cigars in their living room. I did not ride home in a car seat, but on my mother’s lap. On their way home, they heard Stevie Wonder singing “Isn’t She Lovely”. This has always been my song (and my father and I danced to it at my wedding). My mother says I began speaking in full sentences when I was 10 months old. Judging by the way my own children speak, I believe her.