At Seventeen...

At seventeen I was beginning the end of my high school years. I was thinking and dreaming and hoping. I was experiencing... seventeen.

At seventeen:

I was making most of my own clothes.

I was wearing a size 7 1/2 shoe.

I was thinking I wanted to be prettier.

I was weighing in at barely 110 pounds.

I was learning darkroom photography.

I was taking Algebra and Bookkeeping (What was I thinking?).

I was strumming my guitar.

I was playing in a band.

I was taming my frizzy hair.

I was sleeping on humongous hair rollers.

I was dreaming of lasting love.

I was spending all my time with friends.

I was collecting signatures.

I was being nice to my brother and sister.

I was looking intently at my parents' faces.

I was longing to go to college.

I was driving my Mustang.

I was enjoying my life.

I was going to church, then...

I was drinking too much, then... I stopped cold turkey...just stopped.

I knew I was in trouble.

I was trying figure out who I was and who I would become.

I was trying to find out where I should go...what I should do.

Seventeen is a wonderful age.

Seventeen is a vulnerable age.

What were you doing at seventeen?