Nothing is more powerful than the memories of our childhood. These memories are what shape our adult lives. Our lives are touched by the many experiences of our childhood. Have you ever wondered where your present fears come from? Our greatest fears are made by the experiences of our childhood. Even how we view ourselves are shaped by childhood memories. Its mind boggling to see how much of our youth is still in us today.
             I still remember the week of my fifth birthday as if it was yesterday. Every year my family went up to the Pocono's in Pennsylvania and stayed in a resort known as Shawnee. As a family, we still find the time in our hectic lives to go up there every summer. It's probably the only time throughout the entire year we are able to have a sit down dinner together. It's beautiful there. The Delaware River is about ten feet from our villa and the land around our house is full of gently rolling hills. My grandfather came as well. We arrived on a Saturday and stayed all the way until the following Sunday. My birthday was right smack in the middle of the week.
             When Wednesday finally rolled around I was so excited I couldn't contain myself. I woke up so early that morning I could still smell the dew that the night had left on the grass. I never liked that smell. I looked out the window and I saw miles of vast hills waiting for me to scamper down and I was able to just make out the sun, which was slowly rising over the hills with vibrant hues of yellow. I could hear a peacock cooing near the river and in between my father's snores, if I listened carefully, I could hear the rush of the Delaware River. Being the "patient" little girl that I was, I ran into my grandfather's room and jumped on him so that he would wake up. When he finally came around, he looked at me, grinned, and said, "Good morning Birthday Girl." I gave him a big bear hug, and that's how I started my day.
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