Memory Book Example: Who Am I?

            Initially the question of who am I seems simple.  In fact there is no one better suited to answer the question than I.  I spend 24/7 with myself.  So why is this question so complicated?   My first thought is to give the basic and boring facts.  I am female, 40+ years old, a wife, mother of three and teacher.  Yet, these statements do not define who I am.  I am more than five adjectives placed in one sentence.  I exist every day and every minute within those words and beyond.  The best part of my life occurs when I reach beyond the basic facts and take hold of my dreams, my goals and my achievements.  These important parts of my life are yet to come.  Yes, my past, my parents and the people I’ve met have shaped and molded me in my life, but they do not limit me.  I am only limited by myself.

            I don’t want anyone to think that I do not value the person I am within the titles of wife, mother and teacher.  These three labels are a big part of my core, my rock and my foundation.  Everyday I work to become a more loving wife, a more understanding mother and a better teacher.  This foundation of love, support and determination makes it possible for me to reach beyond those titles and look into other areas of my life where I want to experience new and exciting emotions. 

I know there are many aspects to who I am.  I know that I am a person with many qualities, good and bad.  I cry at movies, the singing of the national anthem, in church, and anytime I see someone else cry.  I love to laugh.  I love the body shaking, tear rolling down my cheek laugh.  The only sound or feeling better than my own laughter is the sound of a child busting out in that high-pitched voice with complete abandonment of sheer pleasure laughter.

 I also love the simple pleasures in life.  Nature’s beauty of a sunrise or sunset brings me contentment, and my greatest moments are those spent with my family.  My best evening happens when my family is laying all over the living room watching a good movie and then talking about the good parts when the movie ends. 

For all these good moments in life, I also know I am a consistent pain in the neck.  I am demanding of myself and the people around me.  This really frustrates my kids.  They just want to relax and I am handing out chores and expecting them to be done well.  I can also be impatient with people.  There are times when all I want to do is walk away from a person even though they are still talking to me.  I am a very flawed individual who realizes there is much room for improvement.  I try to stay aware of my faults, but it is a slow process.

That is what is great about life and who I am.  It is a process.  Everyday I develop who I am.  Nothing ever stays the same.  Just because I am upset, angry or frustrated today, doesn’t mean I will always be that way.  I am a person who tries to look at each day as an opportunity to do better, to laugh more and hopefully make someone else smile.  I may not always be successful, but there is tomorrow.  So who am I?  I am more than five adjectives.  I am a work in process and sometimes that process is slow.