December 26, 1964
I got the material for Dad’s vest this morning. I worked on Bob’s vest for 5 1/2 hours - Boy! That’s hard! I started a letter to P on M’s stationery and began the day with my alarm clock. Right now I’m listening to my radio. Tomorrow I’ll wear my new outfit to church.
I love George Harrison and wish and hope and pray that soon I’ll meet all four Beatles. I want to be their friend - a close, trusting friend. I Love Him, I Love Him, I Love Him! He’s so wonderful!!
P.S. So’s V.
December 26, 2022
Where did this come from? Since I began the diary in mid-November, I had only mentioned my brother’s classmate V once. But beneath the surface of my mundane diary entries — babysitting, school stuff — was the simmering passion of a fifteen-year old experiencing her first crush. Look out, it’s about to get messy and for me, embarrassing. The more I trusted the confidentiality of my diary, the less guarded I became.
Experts on writing tell you to consider your audience. As an adult, I have mastered this skill, especially in my scholarly work. As I write these diary responses, I am also thinking of you, the reader. What do I need to explain? Should I provide historical perspective or satisfy your curiosity about my teenage self?
I am also writing for myself now, or trying to. It’s harder than it was when I was fifteen.