I started first grade in 1980, this year I get Mrs. Cebolt, and she’s a really bubbly lady. We have big teeth hanging from the ceiling and each time we lose a tooth we get to put a small tooth on our hanging tooth. I think that made losing our teeth kind of fun instead of scary. I made a new friend this year named Phylis, her family are the only African-Americans in my school but it didn't matter to me, she was a really great person and is someone I'd love to find again someday. This was a big year for several reasons; the first reason is we're voting for a new president. The whole school gets to "vote" for who they want for President. We have actor running for president, Mr. Ronald Reagan. It’s so neat because every day we learn a little bit about elections and why it's important to vote. I voted for Reagan cause he was a lot like my Great-Grandpa, I was so happy when he won. The second thing was when Reagan was shot and almost died in March of that year. I heard a lot of grown-ups talking about John F. Kennedy; he was killed in November of 1963. Everyone was happy when Reagan lived. The last big thing at school was our teacher and her family went on Family Feud, we watched it the day she was on TV and her family did really well. I don't know why, but she never came back to teach after that and that made me sad. I liked the new teacher ok, but it was confusing. I don't remember the other teachers’ name.
At home things were getting better; Mom was able to care for my sister more so I was able to play with my friends. Mom was really getting worried about the old man across the street, I think this must have been around the time that rumors started going around the neighborhood. She seldom let us go over to his house. I do remember him giving me a big doll for Christmas, he bought us all presents. I had a picture until a few years ago when my house burned down, but that story comes much, much later. My Aunt and Uncle moved in next door, they were renting from my Grandparents like us. I remember a funny smell sometimes coming from their house; I later learned they smoked pot. Mom didn't want us going over there unless she was with us. I joined the correspondence class for my favorite TV show this year. I loved getting mail. I worked really hard on my lessons and sent it back in to be graded. I liked "big people" church, but couldn't wait to get home for my show.