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In Levittown, PA (1965-1975), Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School and nearby woods were my playgrounds. A tragic event—a 16-year-old girl killed by her boyfriend—shattered our sense of security. The Connolly family, a large Irish-Catholic clan, introduced me to sports and friendship. My best friend Joe’s family dynamics opened my eyes to a different life. The joys of catching crayfish and snapping turtles at the creek contrasted with my first experiences of death and loss, shaping my childhood memories and love for nature.
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Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School and woods where we played, explored, got into trouble and where a 16 year old girl was killed by her boyfriend. It changed our sense of security. Levittown, PA 1965-1975 The Connoly’s-large Irish-Catholic family-six brothers who we played in sports. I became involved in athletics through our endless games of street football, basketball, and home run derby. The Ameibles-next door neighbors Oldest son died after being hit by a baseball. My first experience with death. The Ardovino’s-My second home-My best friend, Joe,his alcoholic father, Bea his saint of a mother, and his six sisters. One of them came crashing over through Joe’s bedroom door (while on crutches) during a sleepover. This helped influence me, because they were a very different family from mine. Frankie Calvert’s house. We met when we got in a fight at five. By 14, I was forbidden to go there. I learned to do things I shouldn’t & get away with them. Creek where we caught crayfish and snapping turtles. I developed a love of nature, and my poor sense of balance always had me falling in. My House