As long as I can remember I've always loved writing.  When I think back at what sparked that interest it was my mother. I am the youngest of four children (my mom had four children in the span of five years) and in her effort to keep me busy she plopped me in front of a cast iron typewriter.  So I learned to hunt and peck at four-years old.  I started out by doing the alphabet but soon worked my way to writing countless letters to my Aunt May in Philadelphia.  She became my penpal and it was with incredible enthusiasm whenever I received a letter in the mail from her.

Now my Aunt is in her 90s.  My letters have evolved into emails, - which is saying something considering my aunt has kept up with technology.  To top 

it off, my Aunt is a huge reason why I love being a photographer.  Aunt May was always taking photos of her nieces and nephews, of which she has 14. And now she has grand nephews and nieces and Great grand nieces and nephews.  She is a very, very beloved Aunt.  Aunt May gave me my first Kodak camera.  While I don't have that first one, I do have one of the old ones she gave me.  Now it is a cherished keepsake.

Here's a photo of my Aunt May and me from last summer.  On this Valentine's Day I just want to say, I love you.  You were the catalyst in both of my passions in life.  Today I'm so lucky to do both of them and fulfill a dream I had as a little girl.  Which was to be an author and artist.  

This just goes to show, you never know what will happen when you plop a child in front of a keyboard.  Or a camera.  They may just grow up to be a writer.

And Mom, thanks for plopping me in the front of the typewriter in the hopes of keeping me out of your hair.  It turns out I learned to type super fast and somehow it game me a love of words.  Love you, Mom!

Happy Valentine's Day.

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