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Favorite Halloween Costumes
Original Content  |  October 03, 2008
Geri with her two sons


October 1989—Nintendo was new, money was tight, and we couldn't afford the game! Got creative and brought the game to life. My active 4-year-old loved it; the baby just rode along! I used clothes we had for Mario and Luigi—cute and simple, my fave of all time! I'm fun-spirited and silly, even from the beginning. I didn't know how important it would be…no idea what a parenting ride I was embarking on.

See, my oldest has ADHD and my youngest has autism, both diagnosed a few years after this photo. They are 23 and 20 now. I had forgotten the simplicity of how it all began. The photo made me reflect. It speaks volumes—working with what you have, allowing a sense of humor is key too. My kids are different and silly. I embrace and celebrate it; never fought it. They are who they are now—silly, accepted and loved unconditionally.

— Geri; Arlington, Texas
Printed from Oprah.com on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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