This pose was all the rage in 1983 when I graduated from Norman Thomas High School…and this was the place to take your pics too..Murray Studios on Rivington/Clinton Streets. I don’t know how much my mom paid for these pics but you know I never knew we were poor until I applied to college. I remember when I was like 11 years old, my mom and I walked by a furniture store and they had the prettiest pink and white canopy bedroom set, so princess-like and well, I wanted it. I asked my mom and she said she could not get it, we went home, I was sad but life went on. On my next birthday (a few months later) when I arrived home from school, there was the princess bedroom waiting for me. I felt like a princess that day and my mom was super woman. I loved that bedroom until the day I left for college.

Thanks mom for working hard to give me and Wanda (my sis) what we wanted. I know it wasn’t easy as a Mom now have a little taste of the sacrifices you made, not all because you were alone (I’m not), you worked two jobs, I don’t and well, you had it rough. I hope life treats you well when you finally get your dream and move to Puerto Rico, you deserve it after working so hard. Reflecting… I wish I had my family near me, I miss my sis and her kids. Life right? Maybe one day…maybe.