Irony

Let me introduce myself. You may think you know me, but do you really know me?

I am a complicated human being. On the one hand I am a scientist, having studied and practiced medical and environmental occupations that are based almost entirely on fact for over 35 years, you might think me cold and calculating. Well perhaps a bit. I am prone to look at facts and base decisions on what is known or can be extrapolated, but not entirely.

I am also an artist. I can look at an object, either in actuality or in my minds eye, and arrange color, texture, shade, and other objects in such a way that they will contrast, enhance, or blend together in a variety of patterns. This applies to patterns for sewing, decorating a room, arranging a bouquet, or putting brush to easel. I do have imagination. Some may say too much.

Along with my husband, I have raised a family of four children on a budget that would send most people into panic. But I am proud of how each one of our kids turned out. We now have 14 grandchildren and 5 (going on 6) great grandchildren spread out among 4 states and 2 additional countries. Not many "things" can defeat me. Yes, I have learned to roll with the punches, and believe me, there have been more than my share. I have been called tenacious on more than one occasion, simply because I choose my battles and I refuse to throw in the towel. I am also very loyal. I have a casual relationship with many people, but a very small group of close friends. Most share similar life styles and histories of hardship, family, and faith. These give us a common ground of empathy.

Finally and above all, I am a Christian blessed to have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. I serve a risen Lord. He is at the center of my entire life. Much of what I do is based not on fact, imagination, or experience, but on faith. Christ has never left me out to dry. He has often said "no" to my requests, but only because He had a better idea in mind. He just hadn't shared it with me yet.

I say all this because I am sometimes admittedly hard to read. In fact, nothing gives me a giggle more than irony. I look for and find it in places that no one else would notice. Unless you know me really well, you might take me dead seriously all the time, not realizing that I have an extremely dry sense of humor. If this is so, I do not apologize. I only hope you will stick with me long enough to be better acquainted with who I really am. I have much to offer in the way of compassion and love. You see, I've chosen the high road of positive thinking even in the midst of life's hardest trials. No, I am not naive, just determined not to allow "life" to control how I think, act, or live. OK, I admit to being cynical at times. Hang in there, it won't last long.