Over the past couple of weeks I have been provided descriptions of myself by people who I know in varying degrees. I hadn’t solicited any of these remarks–at least directly. And none were unkind. It’s just interesting and thought-provoking to hear what about you strikes someone.

The first was one I’ve heard before–comments on my eyes. I have to say they’re probably my best asset (there aren’t many to choose from). They are blue (fading over time). I have long eyelashes to go with it, so they work. But what also has been interesting is that I also was subjected to a family photo in which my first reaction to my own image was that I don’t know why people comment on my eyes because you can’t really see them. I’ve always felt this way about photos of myself. My eyes I think are only my asset when you see me up close in person. Great, I’m a close up kind of gal. I guess that’s why I never got picked out of the crowd to go up on stage with Bono and have him serenade me. Yeah, that’s the reason.

I have a sort of intensity. Now granted this was used to describe the person I was more than a decade ago, and at that point in my life I thought I was going to change the world. So I can sort of understand it, but the person went on to describe that impression by a quality of mine I don’t think has softened with age. I tend not to suffer fools well. Now granted this is my definition of fool. And I would guess that my definitions have softened. I think, I hope that I have become a bit more understanding over time. It’s just funny, because I never would have thought of myself as intense. I love to be silly, to have fun. I don’t skulk around, wear lots of black eyeliner and only listen to The Cure (have I dated myself?). I love Disney World, dancing to 80’s music and singing at the top of my lungs.

I’m so open–to the point of being intriguing. Okay, this I know about myself. On the outside I seem very open because I’m willing to talk about things and ask questions that many others would not. What most people don’t know–or maybe they do and I’m just kidding myself–is that there is so much inside that I don’t share–at least not with the general public. Certain people see certain sides of me. And I have to admit, there is really only one or two who know the whole thing. And, I’m still amazed they love me.