Who Am I?

I went to bed too early, last night, and as usually happens, woke from a sound sleep about 2 AM.  Of course, I couldn’t get back to sleep.  Even with the radio on as “white noise.”  I began to think about all of the roles I have, living with family and in my community.  It has turned out to be a long list.

First, and foremost, I am a child of God.  Have been for as long as I can remember, and hope to be, forever.

I was a wife, now a widow (dear Lord, how I HATE that word).  I am a mother and grandmama, a mother-in-law, a sister (we are only two of the six children born to our mother that are still living), a sister-in-law, an aunt and great aunt to family members I don’t even know.

I am an educator; for thirty years.  My assignments were a country, one-teacher school, early childhood in the Head Start Program, readiness room for children who came out of kindergarten that were not ready for a first-grade curriculum, nine years at National Jewish Hospital teaching children with asthma and other respiratory diseases, four years at one of the state’s mental hospitals as the school director and Education Discipline Chief, finishing my formal career as a school superintendent.  I also home schooled a family’s three school-age children in my own home, as well as my own granddaughter in her home in Wisconsin.  If an educator leaves the field, that educator never really leaves education behind.  I have found that once an educator – always an educator.  Today, as I talk with youngsters about almost anything, I realize that the educator is still there.

I am a watercolorist, a needlepoint artist, a seamstress (although, most of what I sew today is mending and baby blankets; but, I did make masks at the beginning of the pandemic).

I am the patient of several physicians, physical therapists, hearing and vision care specialists, and a dentist.  I am a customer of a small pharmacy where the persons in charge know my pharmaceutical needs.  I am also a customer of a single food market, as well as a fine, fine book store.  I have been the customer of the same hairdresser for more than forty years.

I am a poet and a blogger, and I write for children, as well as in a journal.  I am a computer user, – and we can all thank Roger for his work to correct a problem with the laptop so I could write and save this blog, tonight.

I am a cook – well, not so much any more.  I was a cook for about sixty years; now, I figure that was long enough.  I still love to cook for crowds of five or more people.  I am an organizer of parties and other social events.  Occasionally, I am a caregiver.

I am a housekeeper (a poor one at that), a laundress (a very good one, but I DO NOT iron), a landscaper and gardener (it’s hard to keep Larry’s gardens, but Bryan, Miles, and I are trying to do them justice).  I am a consultant about house repairs, and I arrange for the repairs and upkeep of the house. I monitor safety issues relating to the house – sidewalks, driveway, etc.  I am my own bookkeeper – again, not a very good one.  I manage the insurances.

I am a collector of things.  People’s names.  Vintage glassware.  Paper weights.  Books – lots of books! – especially, a collector of poetry and art books.  Art supplies.  Paintings of my own and other artists.

I am the owner of a vehicle; I assure that its needs are taken care of by its mechanics.  I am a chauffeur; and, sometimes, am permitted to take a friend to her medical appointments.

I am a dog owner with all that that requires.  I am a dog watcher – friends are willing to leave their dogs with Lady and me when they are out of town or have medical reasons for doing so.  A tortoise lives with me.  I would never say that I am the owner of a tortoise.

I am a supporter of charities.  Harbor House in Appleton, Wisconsin – a safe haven for abused women and their children.  Children’s school fund raising activities.  Christ in the Desert in New Mexico.  St. Jude’s Hospital and Shriner’s.  National Jewish Hospital in Denver.  And, there are others.

I would like to think that I am also a friend.  I challenge you to think about all of the hats you wear – who are you?  It can be an interesting revelation.

Be safe and well.

The Cranky Crone

If you have thoughtful feedback or questions, please let me know with a comment below.