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Prenatal Development & Birth
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First 2 Years
Age 0-2 -
First 2 Years: Cognitive
At 6 months, I begin to talk! First muttering a few small words like "shoe" and "kitty." -
First 2 Years: Biosocial
At 12 months old, I took my first steps! There's a picture of me in our living room, my mother behind me looking proud, as I'm walking for the first time. I had the biggest grin on my face as I discovered my new-found freedom! -
First 2 Years: Psychosocial
I joined a club at our Baptist church called Sparks for the young children where I learned the values of our religion and culture while also being exposed to other kids within my age group. This was where I did most of my socializing with people other than my family since I never went to daycare or preschool. -
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Play years/Early Childhood
Age 2-6 -
Play Years/Early Childhood: Cognitive
By age 2 (20-24 months) I was speaking with 2-3 word sentences. Being the youngest of 5 and therefore always being around other talkative children, talking came naturally rather quickly. -
Play Years/Early Childhood: Biosocial
At this point of my life, my father's artistic abilities always inspired me to be more like him. I loved to draw and paint (watercolors being my favorite) daily. In turn, as my skills became apparent I realized that I was ambidextrous. -
Play Years/Early Childhood: Psychosocial
My parents divorced each other when I was 7 years old. It was a very hard time for me because I felt that I had caused it, leaving me feeling guilty among other things. My life changed since my dad moved out and I visited him every other weekend. My mother became a single parent until she remarried when I was 12. -
Play Years: Psychosocial
I was always one for sociodramatic play: I absolutely loved theatrics in that I loved dressing up in old costumes (hand-sewn by my mother) with jewelry, of course, and standing in front of a mirror while I spoke in different accents (most often a British one). I'm not sure why, but that was so much fun for me! -But also very embarrassing when someone walked in on me performing... -
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School Years/Middle Childhood
Age 6-11 -
School years/Middle Childhood: Cognitive
I began school in Kindergarten at age 6 and I was very shy. I remember on my first day, my mother was dropping me off in the classroom and, not wanting to be on my own for the first time, I held onto her leg tightly, refusing to let go. Eventually I made friends and I enjoyed school henceforth. -
School yeas/Middle Childhood: Biosocial
During each summer, our family always went to the beach or the pool by our house nearly every day. I became an excellent swimmer, but I also enjoyed playing outside in general: riding my bike, shooting hoops in the backyard, or just taking a hike in Hines Park. -
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Adolescence
Age 11-18 -
Adolescence: Biosocial
At age 12, 7th grade, I became a woman! It scared me to death when my mother told me that, but I remember becoming aware that my life was changed forever. Now I could have children! -
Adolescence: Cognitive
I've always been the type to worry how others are perceiving me, especially during Middle School I became even more "paranoid" so-to-speak whenever someone was laughing, for example, I'd always be afraid it was about me. I was also very depressed about myself during those years. -
Adolescence: Psychosocial
This year my first ever boyfriend broke up with me. I was absolutely crushed! Immediately after being dumped I called my closest friend and cried for hours. I'd never felt such pain before! -
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Emerging Adulthood
Age 18-25 -
Emerging Adulthood: Biosocial
I got my first job at 18 working at an Einstein Bagels shop. After an entire summer of applications and no return phone calls, I was beyond happy to be amking my own money. I also started babysitting for a family friend (that I would go on to do for about 2 1/2 years) which opened my eyes to child rearing. -
Emerging Adulthood: Cognitive
Since I was now a high school graduate, I began my studies here at Schoolcraft College full-time, although my major was still unchosen. I was living on my own with my boyfriend from sophomore year of high school for a year. I was definitely getting the taste of adult life! -
Emerging Adulthood: Psychosocial
A close friend of mine got married which made me start to wonder about my own relationship. Was I ever going to get married? How would I know when I was ready? Needless to say I had many questions roaming my mind that weekend. -
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Adulthood
Age 25-65 -
Adulthood: Psychosocial
At 28 I married the man of my dreams in the perfect autumn outdoor ceremony. After only one year I got pregnant with our first child! Over the years we had two more that added to the family. -
Adulthood: Biosocial
At age 30 I found myself having to finally give in and get reading glasses. Of everyone in my family I was always the one with perfect 20/20 vision. Now that time was at an end! :( -
Adulthood: Cognitive
After 40 years of wondering, I finally got my IQ tested and discovered that I am a genius! I scored a level of 140. -
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Late Adulthood
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Late Adulthood: Biosocial
At age 66 I ran my third marathon (26.2 miles) in Charlevoix, Michigan with a time of 4:36:22. I finished third in my age group! -
Late Adulthood: Cognitive
I began to notice that my long-term memory was getting worse. Throughout my life I've always had some issues when it came to my memory, but now I couldn't recall important events like college graduation and my wedding anniversary. My family suggested that I consult with my doctor because of our history of Alzheimer's Disease (my grandfather passed from the illness), but I was assured that I was in the clear! -
Late Adulthood: Psychosocial
After 52 years of marriage, my husband Lucas passed away from a heart attack. This left me very distraught and lonely, however I found much comfort from my three children and long time friends. They gave me the strength to continue living a normal life, although I never fully stopped grieving his death. -
Death
At the age of 100 I finally passed on a Saturday morning at 9:53 a.m. After a life well lived I died of natural causes in my sleep. -
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Death