Halloween, 1982

A scene from my youth

My brother dug up this photo the other day, and man it pulls on the strings of my nostalgic heart.

That's an 11-year-old me over there on the right, as the world's tallest E.T.

My mom's looking on from the backdoor of our old house.

See, I was entirely obsessed with Spielberg's movie after it was released that summer.

I ate Reeses Pieces even though they were an incredibly putrid candy. I knew the day JC Penney would have plush E.T. dolls on sale (and this was before the internet). And I begged my mom to make this costume.

I bet she had to customize that McCall's pattern no. 8311 somethin' fierce to get it to fit me.

It's been a while since I've said it, but mom you've got to know I love you.

For every stitch and every moment.

Thank you for making me feel right at home on this planet.