On the Real: The Truth Is...

The truth is that unless you are my husband or children, you probably don't really know me all that well.  The truth is that even being my husband and/or children doesn't really get you past the red rope of my mind; they too find themselves limited in their access to what makes me tick. 

The truth is, the same could be said about you. 

Regardless of the facade we project to our friends, family members and even perfect strangers, there is a real person (soul) neatly tucked away in each body that walks upon this earth.  We may identify ourselves by what we see in the mirror each morning or by the "About Me" section of our Facebook, Twitter or blogging account, but the genuine "us" is found beyond the primping and coordinated clothing and the clever personal descriptions we leave for others to read. 

My Grandmother once told me when I was in my twenties that I needed to know who I was, beyond my titles as mother, wife, employee, friend, daughter and the numerous other interchangeable references that float above my head on any given day.  At the time, I thought, "Yes, absolutely!  I know who I am!"  But as time slipped by, and continues to do so, likewise has my grasp on who that woman is or was, if ever I even had a grasp at all. 

Who am I really without any reference to who I am to others or what I do for them?  Sadly, I'm not really sure.  I know that I'm a property manager/lease administrator/girl friday from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday.  I know that I'm a mother of 3 boys and 1 girl every moment of every day.  I know that I'm the wife of Rob; married for nearly eleven years.  I know that I drive a minivan.  I know that I help with Scarlet Revolution, however scattered and inconsistent I am.  I know that I volunteer at the "volunteer table" as well as the 2SM tent at church.  But, there should be more, right?    

I know that I have brown hair that is ever being grown out or chopped off.  I know that I have hazel eyes and hands that are too large for women's gloves.  I know that I'm 5' -7 1/2" tall, yes, I'm including the 1/2", it matters!  But, there must be more, right?

I know that I'm not a goal oriented person, preferring to travel the path of whim and scheduled chaos.  I know that I genuinely care about connecting to and helping girls and women I meet, though I'm still not entirely sure how to do that effectively.  I know that I love Jesus, however silly that sounds to you, and hope that my life will result in a "Well done!" at it's close.  I'm sure there's more, but this is at least a start, right?

Have you taken a moment out of the daily hustle and bustle to take your own pulse?  To check your motives and your life's trajectory?  Who are you, really? 

Here are some little known facts about me, some of which I intend to adjust, some of which I intend to embrace, and others of which just, well, are:

• I'm a terrible housekeeper.
• I hate folding clothes and will often leave baskets of clean clothes untouched for days.
• I've never really gotten on board with the idea that work should come before play, thus the first two facts.
• I love to watch cartoons.
• I hate to yell at my kids, but I do more often than I'd like to admit.
• I snack like a stoner, do with that information what you will, just know that I'm not actually a stoner.
• I hate to get up early.
• I love to make forts in my living room with my kids.  There is a chance that I will still do that when they move out.
• I love to make my kids laugh; love, love, love it!
• I am dedicated to learning to love people, I'm not really that good at it yet, but I'm committed to getting better.
• I hate to exercise, but I'm trying to wrap my mind around becoming a runner.  Since, the only "extra" time I have is in the morning BEFORE I wake up, it's been a difficult undertaking that hasn't really "took" just yet. 
• Lately, I haven't been spending as much time with my kids as I should.  This sucks, but it's about as honest as the color of my roots.

So, there you have it.  Again, I ask, who are YOU, really?