Candleridge  − 1 August, 1988

My life in the Candleridge apartment complex was perhaps the first "great period" in my life, the period in my life I most identify with childhood. This period came as a direct result of my father's death, as my mom had for the first time the financial capability to improve our lives, something we both really took to. Candleridge was located in a affluent suburb of Des Moines named Urbandale, and gave me an entire area to explore and "own" for myself.

Although I was an unpopular kid in my elementary (and, later, middle) school for numerous reasons, not least for being poor, nerdy and in a weird situation, I was able to carve out a niche with the kids living in Candleridge, and I made several friends, including my next door neighbor, Josh. For four years, I played Nintendo, swam in the pool, played impromptu games of baseball with no rules, and did all the typical boy things, and I loved every minute of it.

My two experiences with foster homes bookend my time in Candleridge, with one occurring right after we moved in, and another immediately following my time in Candleridge.