I am . . .

I am a grandmother. I am a mother. I am a sister, an aunt, a volunteer, and the list goes on, but today I realized one more thing -- I am a chameleon!

I was reading out loud, editing, paying attention to both the text and the sound, looking for anything left out, or typed wrong. This particular piece was filled with the prayers for communion and before long I was back in full churchy mode. Back to the time when my life was consciously governed by prayers and meditations that ran through my head almost continuously while showering, or vacuuming, or doing the dishes.

I take a break every ten pages or so and steam my sinuses for five minutes, because even though this is my favorite time of year, it is allergy season. Today, instead of counting my breaths to keep track of the time, I found myself singing the old prayers and meditations in my head. I'm like that. If I spend a few days with my siblings I find myself back in full country twang. When I volunteer in an elementary school I fall right into positive redirection and conflict negotiation. Wherever I am I am quickly assimilated. That's just who I am.

This changeable personality could be a liability, but although I may appear to become one with the moment and intensely dislike confrontations and scenes, there is, within me, a definite sense of right and wrong that monitors my breaking point. I may look like part of a group but my head is often observing as well as participating.

Like a chameleon my outward appearance fits in, but my inner porcupine never goes away!