This is just a short blurb … I’m sure if you read through much of what’s here, you’ll get a sense of who I am.

Having said that, I found a site that had a bunch of Getting-To-Know-You questions so I’ll take 12 of them and share my quick answers:

• Do you collect anything?
  • Books!!! And, it seems, MAC makeup!
• What are you passionate about?
  • I’m passionate about learning, about questioning, about being part of the solution and not the problem. And I’m passionate about healing and humanity, though it doesn’t seem that I’m very good at that with my own life.
• What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
  • My university degree – it was not encouraged in my immediate family at all, so I went against much to get that piece of paper. And when I directed the musical Anne of Green Gables with the most wonderful group of young people ever.
  • Maybe, also, after everything that I’ve gone through, that I’m still here? Accidents and health, financial struggles and personal trauma, that I still have hope and dream of wonderful things yet to come.
• What is on your bucket list?
  • I want to stay in a Landmark Trust location in Europe and to write a book. Or 5. Or more.
• What is your favorite holiday?
  • Christmas – not because of the presents but because of the beauty. And what it means, behind the scenes (and beyond the cradle) for me.
• What skill would you most like to learn?
  • Quilting. Maybe knitting, too.
• Where is the coolest place you traveled?
  • The DMZ – Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. And,  What Phra Kaew, a temple I visited in Thailand where the Emerald Buddha is located and the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm in Bangkok. 
• Who is your oldest friend?
  • There is a girl who I’ve known since fourth grade; there are also 4 other girls that I’ve known since Grade 8. There are another 4 girls that I’ve known since Grade 9. And, considering I’ll be 60 this year, that’s a long time!! Plus, I am still friends with all of them and whenever I can, I re-connect with them, either by phone or with a visit. I should check in with them all again.
• What makes you unique?
  • Good question. I don’t think anything – Maybe that I have never married, have no children, both parents have passed, and for all intents and purposes, I’m a ‘pre-elder orphan’? I never thought this would be my reality, but after accepting it, I am finding there are positive things that are still possible. Maybe my mindset and my beliefs, which are not along any set traditional path of any sort.
  • You might ask: What defines an elder orphan? According to the National Institute of Health, it is an aged (65+) community-dwelling individual who is socially and/or physically isolated, without an available known family member or designated surrogate or caregiver. I’m not there yet, but that would seem to be where my life path is headed. As I keep telling myself, I’m not dead yet!
• What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?
  • The right music.
• Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
  • Prayer.
• What are you most thankful for?
  • That I’m not dead yet! Seriously, I’m most grateful for my aunt. The more I age, the more I realize how much of an inspiration and guide she was (and is) for me. I wish I could talk with her now.  She passed when I was in my 30s and not a day goes by without thinking of her. I am who I am today, my resilience is as strong as it is today, because of her. She was the inspiration behind my degree, and so much more.