Last weekend I went up to Vermont to visit my mom. She had some pictures that she’d gotten from my grandmother, so we went through them together and reminisced.
Many of the pictures I had seen before, but this one here, I don’t think I’d ever seen.
I must have been about 4 years old. I’m in the “big bathroom,” as we called it. It was pretty sweetly decorated ar that time, as you can see. Years later, once my younger siblings came along, this place was a wreck, with blobs of toothpaste in the sink and a trash can overflowing with paper cups and Q-tips. Ok, so the blame lies mostly with me, as I liked to make potions and experiments with the toiletries.
Back to the picture. I’m playing with a Fisher Price toy sink. I remember being very into that toy, having always been a fan of water. It had the impressive (to a 4-year old) ability to actually squirt water out of the faucet. It came with a set of dishes, cups and utensils, which I suppose was supposed to teach young girls how to wash dishes or something. Clearly the lesson was lost on me.
Instead, I was giving my Incredible Hulk action figure a bath. The Hulk had come into my life one day while I was watching cartoons. I don’t remember the details, but I recall masculinity… rage… green muscles tearing through fabric… and I liked it.
When my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I said I wanted an Incredible Hulk doll. And on Christmas morning, there he was, in my stocking.
All that being said, and despite this photo evidence, I don’t think my relationship with the Hulk went on for very long. I soon moved on to gazing lovingly at the Brawny Paper Towel guy.
It’s funny the things you remember from childhood. Did you have a crush on a fictional character? Tell me about it!
Uncommon Heather 