Yesterday in my Body Image class we had to say the name of each person in the room—knowing everyone's name is part of the grade. We have done "getting to know you"-type exercises from the beginning of the semester, as well as putting name-tags on our desks each class period; and the teacher (Dollie) calls us each by name every time she wants to hear from us. So, starting at one end of the room and going around desk by desk, we had to call out each person's name. Some students were more well-known than others. When they got to me they were stuck for a name, but someone did say, "Mom of Eight." Dollie said, "What's her name? She's more than just 'Mom of Eight.' "Yes, I am more than just "Mom of Eight." But even when I describe myself to people I say that I
have eight kids. For example, look at "about me" in the sidebar. Yep. Maybe I'll have to change that description. "Mom of Eight" is part of who I am, but is that THE THING that defines me? I'd like to think that I'm a little more multi-faceted than that.How would you define/describe me? And, even better, how do you define/describe yourself? I'm really curious to know.
2 comments:
Hmm--I could describe Loralee in intimate detail [note my devilish grin here], but that might get me banned from this blog.
So Loralee dear, I could describe your physical appearance: white, late 30s to early 40s, 5'3" tall, shoulder-length curly brown hair, blue eyes, no missing teeth.
I could define you by your relationships to other people: mother, daughter, sister, wife, friend, neighbor, customer.
I could define you by your gender (female—a mighty fine female at that), race (white), career (housewife), scholarship (student),religion (LDS "Mormon"), and/or nationality (American).
But these words also define millions of people in the immediate vicinity. To describe Loralee, I need to find the unique part of you—not what attributes you HAVE, but attributes others DON'T have. Our family of ten puts you in the top 1% of American household sizes (2009 Census Survey Report), and the Census can only count to 5 (in 2006, 1.7% of American women aged 15-44 have five or more children). So this differentiation makes you very unique, even in Mormon Utah, U.S. capital of the Home Pregnancy Test.
Describing yourself is how you transform from a stranger to a friend. If someone wants to know you, tell them what you like. What you don't like. WHO you like, and why. Tell them your dreams. Tell them what you want out of life. Tell 'em what drives you, and where you are going.
And if you don't want someone to know you that well, tell them you have 8 kids. The shock keeps them a safe distance away.
Just off the top of my head, I would describe you as being an amazing chef, an industrious homemaker, a nurturing mother of eight, a romantic and devoted wife, a skilled seamstress, a scholar of gospel topics, a trustworthy friend, a witty and creative writer, an avid learner, and an accomplished musician.
And me? Hmmm... I'll have to think about that.
Post a Comment