Fragments

Beginning

"There are no happy endings, endings are the saddest part.

Just give me a happy middle, and a very happy start."

I was born on the 14th of February - a day known worldwide as Valentine's Day, but also as my parents wedding anniversary. I think this is a few celebrations too many for just one day.

 I came exactly on time as well, a trait that I made up for by being late to almost everything else for the rest of my life. My dad always joked I'd be late for my own funeral.

 However my first memory is of a garden. Not just any garden, but my Nana's.

 Nan's garden is a green jungle to my toddler eyes, lush and wild and untamed. The grass sweeps my ankles, tickling my pale skin.

 Mum and dad sit on the bench, hands and legs intertwined. Nana holds her cigarette between her fingers at the kitchen door, blowing smoke in the opposite direction from me. My older sister Lily sits on a blanket nearby, blowing bubbles that I catch with my chubby fists.

 There's nothing significant about the memory, nothing worth noting. It's not my official beginning, which was loud and messy and despite what everyone else calls it certainly not what I'd refer to as 'natural'. 

Yet this is my first memory. It's warm and relaxed and soothing, and replaying it is like slipping into a comfy old sweatshirt. 

Everything was simple, back in the beginning.