I think I first became self aware when I got out of my little makeshift bed in what I think was the laundry room off the kitchen at my grandparent's house.  It was the middle of the night and as I walked towards the doorway I ran into an invisible wall.  On the other side of the wall was everything I was familiar with and a loving sanctuary.  But I kept bumping up against a barrier that wasn't there.  I was four or five I think.  I refused to be deterred and pounded on it with my fists and leaned into it with my shoulder, until something on the other side became aroused.  It still sends chills down my back to recall the dark hulking, hairy gorilla that I had awoken.  He rushed at me and I quickly scrambled back into my bed pulling the covers over my head...terrified, not daring to approach that barrier again...  Or was it that day long before I went to stay with my beloved grandparent's, when my mother and father were arguing over "that woman", whatever that meant?  I watched as she got in his face, screaming at him and he pushed her away, knocking her down.  Not being someone who gives up easily, she got right back up and went after him again, only this time I had joined her side and pulled at his pant legs, trying to get between them to make it stop.  He shoved me aside  and pushed her down onto the couch again.  I grabbed another handful of trouser and tried as I might to pull him away as they screamed at each other.  I was useless, but he soon did retreat and left us...forever.  Self awareness came early I think.