I
had an extremely happy childhood. Like most Americans I grew up wanting for
much but needing nothing. My family
lived on a hobby farm with horses and chickens and dogs and cats…lots of cats. I
was raised in an atheist household. My parents never baptized me. I have fond
memories of sleeping in on Sunday mornings and waking up to a hot breakfast.
My
mother taught me about hard work and perseverance. My father taught me that one
could have strong beliefs and convictions and still be nice to other people.
My
happy childhood ended a month before my sixteenth birthday when my father
passed away.