Monday 29 September 2008

Since You Didn't Ask But Are Going to Find Out Anyway

J. tagged me a while back, and I am just now getting round to it. I had to take a lot of time to think about this one.

I'm supposed to write six random things about myself and then tag six people. Well, what can I say about myself that hasn't been said before?

1. I'm not having the greatest year, as those who have read this blog will know. It started with my mother having a lump in her breast in January, then in February hubby and daughter were in a car accident, then I had a bad fall skiing and lost our passports (those two events were not connected and two of the passports were found). We discovered our adorable border collie Jake had severe hip dysplasia and he had two major (and costly) operations on his hips in April and June. In April hubby lost his job, my mother got pneumonia and was hospitalized, came out, went back in the next day with atrial fibrillation, came out and got a bad sinus infection. I went to Wyoming to look after her and her husband for 10 days and discovered that he was in even worse shape than her. He went into a nursing home for a month, and tests eventually showed he has PSP (progressive supra nuclear palsy). Each month seems to bring a new headache. But also some new insights. It's a year of growing and learning, of editing out the detritus in my life and moving forward in a new direction. It's scary, challenging, and on odd occasions fun. And it's also not the worst year in my life. That year was...

2. ...1975. In 1975, my grandmother died, I lost my virginity, and my dad walked out on my mother and us. That started a series of events like my mother attempting suicide three times and being hospitalized in a mental health ward for a month. My sister and her lecherous and unfaithful husband and child moved in with my mother, and I moved in with my dad. My dad married my stepmother that Christmas, though they kept it a secret for a few weeks from me and for forever from her children. That was truly a bad year, with 1976, 1977 and 1978 not being a lot better. When the going gets tough, I remember that time in my life and feel relief that I never have to live it over again ever.

3. I like to think I'm an easygoing person, but maybe not. A few things bother me about other people, tardiness being the top of the list. I'm on time to the point of obsession. I have to consciously work at being late. I hate it when people are late, which is problematic since several members of my family view tardiness as a way of life. I see it as a sign of disrespect. If you respect me, you will be on time (and I say on time is up to 15 minutes late, not two hours!).

4. When I was 17, I wanted to be a social worker. Yes, it's true. Then I took a sociology course and was bored senseless. The same happened with psychology. Journalism was way down the list, but I found it suited me best. Still, I never felt confident in the world of journalism, and I think that is why it was so easy for me to leave it behind.

5. Motherhood is the career I've had the longest. Again, I'm not the most confident mother, but every day I get up and try to do my best all over again.

6. One thing I've discovered in this world is that some of us are natural givers and some are natural takers. Some are better at nurturing and others are better at being nurtured. I know which category I'm in though sometimes I'd like to be in the other.

There you have it. I could have told you about my birthmark or my sinuses or some other such detail. But this perhaps tells you a bit more about me.

Now, I'd like to tag -ann, Sparx, swearing mother, chrisb, exmoorjane, and expatmum.

16 comments:

Expat mum said...

Good Grief - I think you need to write your memoirs!
And you must be the only American who is the least bit bothered about turning up on time. I am chronically early for everything and one day I will learn that here in the States, there's absolutely no point in being like that as nothing starts on time.
Will think about the tag. It will seem a bit boring compared to yours though.

Flowerpot said...

You have had some rough times Wakeup haven't you? I hope the rest of this year improves and that the sun will shine on you. Take care.

-Ann said...

I hope your year turns around in the last quarter.

Thanks for the tag - I will get on that soon.

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

I cannot bear tardiness. People who believe that their time is so important and yours is worthless. I havdea friend who was always late. I used to tell her I'd see her halof an hour earlier than planned so she would get there on time. She worked out what I was up to and started turning up late again. I dumped her. Au reviour you eejit for treating me so badly!

Fred said...

When I was 17, I wanted to be a pilot. Instead, I wound up as a passenger taking business trips most of my corporate life. I was glad to finally escape.

Here's hoping your luck turns the corner.

Sparx said...

Holy cow - you're doing well to have survived all of that and raised your brilliant kids hon!! Thanks for the tag - I'll put something up in the next few days.

Trixie said...

I used to be ALWAYS early, and it irked me when people kept me waiting. But I've now become the other way round. Socialising anyway. I'm always on time for clients and work, but I'm so used to people letting me down socially, I've started arriving late to things myself.

-Ann said...

Thanks for the tag. I've done my post.

Anonymous said...

This year has been one of those you will look forward to putting behind you.

CJ xx

Catherine said...

You poor thing. Seems you have had more than your share of bad luck this year. Now all the christmas gifts are in the shops, you can look forward to the year end and to a better 2009.

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

expatmum: And I must be the only person in the UK who cares about being on time too. Wish my life was more boring.

flowerpot: Ah, thank you so much.

-ann: Things could be worse. That's what I keep saying.

mob: That's what I do with my brother now. It sort of works. I'm going to try it on the rest of them now.

fred: I must get to know you better. Corporate life to school teacher. New York to Florida (I used to live in Westchester County, NY, by the way).

sparx: Well, at least my kids aren't living through what I lived through, though I'm sure they'd say they have their own crosses to bear.

trixie: I've started doing the same. What's the point of arriving at 8 if no one else shows till 9?

cj: If only everything would turn better at the stroke of midnight!

adventure mother: Welcome to my blog! It hasn't been the best year, but I'm better off than a lot of folks.

Fire Byrd said...

I really try sometimes to be late! But it can't be done, just always on time, unless I have sons in tow who just do not understand the concept at all.
xx

ChrisB said...

Hi there I've only just got back from holiday-so don't think I've been ignoring you. I will take up this challenge as soon as I can get my brain in focus!
Your comment about the givers and takers and the timekeeping I understand so well- now which am I!!!

DJ Kirkby said...

Wow...I had forgotten what a horrendous year you've had! Good meme.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing. I hope things get better soon!

ChrisB said...

Sorry it's taken me so long to complete this meme-hope I'm forgiven for my tardiness!!