The Best Party Guests

I was very fond of my Godparents. I looked at them the way other children view their Grandparents—as people who spoiled you because they only saw you occasionally. The only living Grandparent I had as a child was Tatjana. There was nothing exhilarating about spending time with her because she lived with us, I shared a bedroom with her, and she never spoiled me.

My Godmother created a sack full of lush memories for me. My Godfather was a playful, good sport who had been a lifelong friend of my Dad's.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1963. My Godparents and I take a break from the New Year's Eve party to pose for a snapshot in the living room.