After my last musing, a nice lady indicated that the first thing she recalled was not the radio, but rather an old black and white TV playing her favorite program.
She then wanted to know “How old was I anyhow?” To respond to that, I will quote a poem by an unknown author:
You are not your age, Not the size of the clothes you wear, You are not a weight, Or the color of your hair
You are not your name, Or the dimple in your cheeks, You are all the books you read, and all the words you speak.
You are your croaky morning voice, And the smiles you try to hide, You’re the sweetness in your laughter, And every tear you have cried.
You’re the songs you sing so loudly, When you know that you are all alone. You’re the places you have been to, And the ones you call home.
You’re the things you believe in, And the people that you love, You’re the photos in your bedroom, And the future you dream of.
You’re made of so much beauty, But it seems that you forgot, When you decided that you were defined, By all the things you are not.
The Blonde in the House’s friend used to tell her not to tell anyone her age as once they find out they look at you differently. The poem’s author is saying that no one single thing defines you. I will admit that I have to be alone when I sing – loudly or otherwise, since my music
teacher in 8th grade told me I had the worst singing voice she ever heard. I did not let that define me as it is just part of my life.
I did give up my idea of becoming the next Perry Como! It’s possible, I guess that I could have partnered with Gravel Gertie, if you recall her. We could have been the anti-singers which would have been just another thing that makes me me. In short, everybody is a complex being, and it is up to you as to how you are defined. Finally, I will admit that I am a few years older than the lady who raised the question about my age. Remember that is only one among a large number that defines me. The same fact applies to everyone.
Go ahead and muse on what makes you you!
(Billy says that Judy is starting to eat and is doing some mild therapy. No Indication as to when they can return home yet.)
Barry Evans is a columnist for Villages-News.com.