A long time ago -- it was before kindergarten, I had these horrible, reoccurring nightmares. It would be dark, but I could see by the light of the full moon. I would be outside in the front yard, trying to get inside, but the front door is locked; then, suddenly, down the street would come this huge monster. It was gray with glaring yellow eyes, walking on its hind legs, and swishing its tail back and forth.

It sees me and comes crashing into our yard. Its big teeth are snapping right behind me; when I start pounding on the door and screaming,

"Mommy -- Mommy, the Kigaster is coming! It's gonna eat me. Mommy -- Mommy, the Kigaster, the Kigaster." And then I'd wake up. Mom would hold me and rock me while Dad pretended to search the front yard and chase the Kigaster away.

I had no frame of reference at the time, so I couldn't have created my Kigaster from something I had seen. It wasn't until my forth grade class went on a field trip to the museum, that I identified my Kigaster as a Brontosaurus Rex.

Well over sixty years later, if I had to categorize or stereotype myself; I'd say I was a world-weary, jaded, pragmatic cynic -- a confirmed Deist

However, I sometime lie awake wondering ... when I close my eyes this time, will the Kigaster be waiting for me? And if he is ... will Mommy be there to open the door in time?

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