The Obligatory Intro
Maybe you already know me, or think you know me. . . or maybe you don’t know me from Adam. That’s okay. I don’t really know myself either as I embrace the spirit encapsulated in a favorite quotation by Alan Watts: “You’re under no obligation to be the same person you were 5 minutes ago.”
Still, there are some facts about who I have been in the past and tendencies that are likely to continue in the future. Trying to succinctly sum up my life, ideals, and desires into a tasty and easily digestible treat is proving hard, however. Fortunately, I told “my story” to several members of the Washington State legislature recently in requesting funds to support the establishment of permanent homes for some important community service providers, which I tweaked to cover the basics:
It’s hard to imagine a more stereotypically American life than the one I was raised in. Born in the early 1970s, I was an academically gifted, engaged, optimistic youth who believed in pursuing the classic American Dream. I followed all the signposts placed for me–school, career, marriage, and motherhood–but eventually realized that hard work and dedication were no longer enough to afford the basics of life. Fortunate to be welcomed back to my childhood home, I spent several blissful years in a multi-generational home where, among other things, I could afford to be a stay-at-home mother to my young son while my husband and I pursued more meaningful lines of work. We relocated to Orcas Island in 2010 to engage in a quieter, nature-focused existence where I have held many jobs in tourism and have recently shifted my focus towards responsible waste management with my work at the Orcas Exchange.
Our survival as a family is due in large part to our Orcas Island Community Services (like the Food Bank and the Resource Center) and the generosity of friends and family. We shop at the Food Bank an average of 4x per month – making it a significant source of food for us. The Resource Center bolstered us through several bouts of financial insecurity by connecting us with rental assistance funds when it proved difficult to make rent in lean winter months. While we haven’t personally been involved with OPAL, they are a beacon of hope that we might someday find affordable, long-term housing. In fact, because these community resources help us to better meet our basic needs, I’ve had the capacity to start my own small business, Mending Matters, keeping clothing renewed and encouraging wardrobe recycling.
So, here I am. . . trying to “walk the walk” and finally taking steps to share my experiences and ideas with anyone who is interested in listening. Looking for that path in life that offers me the opportunity to live authentically and still have means to exist while doing so.
