Christmas~Almost 1972

The day before Christmas, 1971, was spent laying in my bed and not moving an inch. I had suffered an extreme bout of vertigo and the only way to get over it, was to lay motionless until it passed. Nothing could get me out of bed, or so I thought. But as the sounds of Christmas went on downstairs without me, I just had to hatch a plan. I could hear presents being opened, the paper ripping and the "oohs and ahhs" that ensued. Wasn't anyone noticing I was not there? Didn't someone have a present for me??? HELLO!!!! I couldn't stand another second of hearing the excitement and not being in the thick of it so I gingerly got out of bed and dressed myself without looking at whatever I picked up off the floor. Smiley face sweatshirt and Bobby Brady pants? Forget combing my hair! I wobbled down the stairs like a 12 year old drunk, my fingertips touching both sides of the stairwell just to keep me on my feet. I remember telling myself to just keep my head still and my chin braced. I would not turn to look at anything or anybody. My head, neck and upper body were fused together as if one piece. One false move and......!!! Then someone snapped a picture. Photographer unknown. No one in the room but me knew how brave I was that morning, venturing out of my bed just to knock someone's block off. And then in one punch and a plasticy buzz, I did.