Earliest Memory

In my earliest memory I awake in the dark, scared, cold and alone. I climb from my crib and fall over the side. I do not cry then; I expected to fall. I am going to find my parents and the safety and warmth they represent. I climb the first stairs and the landing. I climb the second stairs, but at the last step I trip and fall abruptly forward onto the floor. I cry then; I did not expect to fall. 

I relive this memory as a dream. The dream is always the same, but I am older. I awake in the dark, scared, cold and alone. I get out of bed and climb stairs to a warm, safe place and at the last step, I stumble.