Wow! When David showed me this picture I nearly flipped. It's been a very long time since I liked a picture that anyone took of me. Let's face it. My nose is always red & my hair has gotten white. On the other hand, I'm a lot older than I was in the last picture I liked which by the way was taken at my wedding. Oh. That was 19 years ago next month.
I never knew that I could become comfortable in my own skin, but I have. I've accepted myself (for the most part) for who I am. I'll never be the woman with the amazing figure & the pearly white smile. However, I've realized that I'm a long way from the kid who moved to Florida at 16 & hated it.
Who am I now? Let's see.
I am a person with a career that I really enjoy even with the trouble that's involved. During the week I get to speak with adults & help people get where they want to or need to be. On Sundays, I teach 1st grade. That's for my soul since I've wanted to be a teacher since I was 5 years old. I love that I can get children to enjoy learning about being Jewish & having fun at the same time.
I am a person who loves an incredible man & is loved back by the same man. It's been a long, hard haul & worth every minute. I have to say with everything we've been through, I'd do all over again. Gladly.
I am a person who has been lucky enough to become a parent. I am totally in love with my daughter. I've always wanted 6 children but am happily settling for the 1 that David was willing to deal with. It's a good thing too because Erin challenges me every day. I look in on her each night before going to sleep & thank G-d for smiling down on us.
I am a person with a wide range of friends. The adoption community has brought me to people I would never have had the occasion to meet before. Parenthood led me to other mothers who've been there done that & understand everything I'm feeling - love, frustration, sadness, anger - the whole range of emotions.
I guess I'm pretty happy with who I've become. Yup.