Jan. 2009 after running the WDW Goofy Races

How does a person go about describing who they are? When you have lived in a body for almost 40 years, you find yourself feeling “boring”. I am not tall, thin, without freckles or “laugh lines” (and gray hair). I am eclectic in everything (i.e. clothing, home furnishings, art, music, books, movies). I have an odd sense of humor and I like taking care of others.

I love to laugh. I hate to cry. I love generosity and sincerity. I dislike bullies, favoritism, and lying. I love the smell of fresh baked pumpkin bread, puppy breath, newborn baby’s hair, asphalt after a light rain, and map and book stores.

I think I was born in the wrong time of history. I am old fashioned and have high morals. I wish that folks still watched out for their neighbors and kids played kickball in the streets. I wish that moms stayed home with their children and parents still cared about their kids. I wish that people laughed more and worked less. I wish that people still baked pies and invited friends in to share them. I wish people wouldn’t rush through life so fast. I think we are missing all the details.

I enjoy old movies, old cars, and stories from old folks. I feel like I am running all the time – even when it isn’t a half or full marathon. I talk a mile a minute and move around too fast for my own good. I wake each day with grand intentions, only to find that there aren’t enough hours in the day to conquer them all.

I love Converse tennis shoes, bowling shirts, button and charm bracelets, and flannel sheets. I like being comfortable, but also like feeling beautiful. I am not a flowery, frilly or shiny type of girl. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty – especially if I am helping to grow a plant, build something useful, or paint something beautiful.

I love stories where the good guy/girl wins – no matter how “cheesy”. I love to see the everyday person work hard and get rewarded for it. I dislike laziness, politicians, oneupmanship, and “Keeping up with the Jones’”. I dislike stupid commercials and stupid people. I love imagination. I like it when people believe. Believe in themselves, their faith, their country, their family, their community.I love: carnations, snapdragons, sunflowers, dragonflies, praying mantis, platypus, Golden Retrievers, chocolate, plaid, art supplies, pumpkins, old barns, rainy days, Yosemite Valley, hot cocoa by a roaring fireplace, the view from Palomar Mountain, snuggles, church pews, scarecrows, candles, walking on freshly washed Bourbon Street at 8am on a weekday, snowmen, looking at family photos, Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong singing duets, giggles, icicles, saxophones, and crossing the finish line after a long race.

My family means the world to me. My faith gives me peace and hope. My friends are few, but I would stand by those that I have to the end. I am in awe of artists, composers, writers, and all creativity. I dabble here and there, but never feel like I have it “quite right”. I get lost even when I have a map. I hate clutter, but can never seem to stop creating it.

I am comfortable with who I am. I like who I am. I find that as I get older, I really don’t know that much about the world. There is so much to learn. I wonder if I will ever feel like I understand. I hope that I never stop learning, growing spiritually, sharing, or enjoying the simple things.

I do not have much monetarily, but I feel rich just the same. I pray that I don’t leave this world anytime soon. However, if I should, I would feel that I took part in something special. I have loved and been loved. I am a very lucky girl.