Early 1970s

ALLEGRA TAYLOR

This is my mother, Robin, as she appeared around 1971. At the time, she ran a small natural-foods place called the Alfalfa Sprout on Long Island. The business didn’t do very well. My mother has always been ahead of the times.

When I was little, I would stare at this photo, in awe of her beauty and lighthearted spirit. This photo was taken before her alcoholism, before her mental illness, and before being betrayed by two husbands. She looks so free.