Who are you?

Quick, answer that question!

Not so easy, is it?

This simple question has vexed me a great deal during the past month. When you meet someone, or make a new friend, the script usually goes something like this.....

Q1....Hello, what is your name?

Q2....What do you do?

Congratulations, you have just learned absolutely nothing about your new acquaintance. Clearly, there may be little or no need to delve deep into the psyche of every person you encounter, finding out exactly what makes them tick. However, even asking Q #2 of someone is quite telling of how we often define one another.

Maybe you are a student. What if the school closes?

You say you are a parent? What if your child passes away?

Do you describe yourself based on religious affiliation? Surely this is the most vague way to describe one's self.

Do you cite sexual exploits or preferences? That could get complicated awfully quick.

And as for the most common way (in my experience) to describe who you are, your vocation...are you kidding me? The largest, most storied businesses in the world are dropping like flies. Do you really want to attach your identity to something as fleeting as what you do for 25% of the time during any given week?

A portion of my life, and life in turn for our family, will change dramatically very soon. I expect significant differences in many areas. Socially, financially and logistically, life for us in ninety days will be nothing like what we have become accustomed to. The prospect of introducing myself to a new set of people, of explaining who Shamus is to them is something I'm not looking forward to at all. In large part, this is because of the group of people I have spent a great deal of time with over the past few years. I hope to find a way to describe these people to you, and perhaps share a few of the experiences we have had together. This will be no easy task.

Click on the note below for a better look, and further explanation.