INSTAGRAM: MikaelaHelane

MIKAELA HELANE
PHOTOGRAPHER

Re: Childhood Stories

It was Sunday morning, and my family was at the church service bright and early. I couldn't have been more than three or four-years-old. Normally, I'd be in the daycare center, but my mom took me with her when I wouldn't stop crying as she left. I had to use the restroom, so in the middle of service my mom took me to use one.

On the way back, I made my escape by running away from her and down the pews towards my dad. The pastor had just finished praying and the entire congregation--with 1,500 plus people there--was silent. That is, until I came in. I ran down the aisles screaming "I made yellow! Daddy, I made yellow!" with yellow sounding more like 'lell-low' in my tiny voice.

The entire church lit up with laughter, and I was there grinning, so proud of myself. My parents wondered where I learned this, and it turns out my preschool used colors to make using the bathroom fun for us. From then on, I wasn't allowed with my parents during service and stayed with the rest of the kids being babysat at the church. The church members and my parents never let me live it down!