Once upon a time, I was Nathalia Holmes aka Sleeping Beauty. My favorite playtime was story time. I cannot count how many memories of spending hours immerse in a fairytale or a comic book I have.

I also had my socializing time with other kids, hide and seek, playing tag, but nothing comparable to the fun I could have with my literary friends. Some personas are still alive in my mind like old friends, like Monica’s gang, the Karas, the Disney Princess to cite some.

I agree with changing9 about how the toys we are given play a factor in the way we perceive who we are supposed to be and what we are supposed to be like. Like aclark mentioned, her barbies inspired her to believe and grow up with the mindset that she could do anything she wanted to do, just like Barbie did. But, my experience wasn't as positive as theirs. I was more of an outdoors kind if kid. I wanted to do all the dirty things. I liked to play tag, play basketball, hang upside  down on the monkey bars, play kick ball, etc.

My first bear was given to me at birth. His name was Bear because that was what made most sense at the time. And for seven years he went everywhere with me. Similar to Aclark, I too believed in following the example my mom set foward. Since the day I could walk  I would accompany my mother and other housekeepers ranging from family to strangers at their job. We would clean 2-3 houses a day. Even as a 3 year old I would participate in cleaning glass items, drying dishes, cleaning baseboards.

I was a very serious child: I did no wrong. Never a cheerio in the tape player, never a mischevious mud pie, no, not from me. I was my parent's angel, an only child for 12 too many years. My play was the one time where I felt free to express myself and be a child--Barbies, Polly Pockets, and Ty stuffed dolls were my saviors. I was able to escape into a world where there were no problems and I had nothing to worry about.