Covered  5/2/13

In a shadow
Waiting for a clearing

Passing time we tire
Clarity awaits

Following clouds
Linger and hover above

Morning or midnight
The sun does exist

Storms brew
Suffocating humidity

Trudging on
Convinced of tomorrow's light

Independence....it holds a lot in it's meaning. One could apply its definition to ways of thinking, doing, handling, coping.....The freedom to make a decision entirely on one's own. Not HAVING to but having the choice to.

"What do you do?"

My husband was born, raised, and grew up in our small town where we live.  I on the other hand had lived in several towns.  He works at a prominent company that employs a good portion of our town's community members.  I don't.  He's well known and he knows a lot of people.  We frequently attend community events, go to company dinners and parties, and quite commonly see people he knows during simple trips to the store.  It's been almost 15 years since I've lived here and even though I've accumulated many "associations" it still amazes me what legacy (little legacy) my husband possesses.

There's those predicaments, those awkward pauses when whoever he's re-associating himself with at the time, the person will turn towards me and ask (as if there's no other question they can come up with); "So, what do you do?"  I can honestly tell you I haven't yet mastered this comeback.  Replying: "I'm a housewife" still struggles to sound dignified.  "I stay home with the kids" for most people doesn't suffice.  But it occurred to me that I should attempt to answer these gnawing, poor judgement minded people by quite simply saying; "I grow things".  As if our self worth is based solely on "what we do?'.  Well, maybe it does.....but is it really the correct question to choose to ask when meeting someone for the first time? 

What we do.  How we reap life's benefits.  What we do with our job in life and how well we do it.  Do we take pride in our accomplishments?  Are our intentions true and just?  Do we value our minds and choices given?  Yes, what I do with my life is important.  I value, I treasure my role.  I enjoy my life and relish all the good and even the bad...afterwards  Are we proud of how we handle challenges and do we overcome them?  Do we appreciate what God has given us and how do we use Him in our lives?  Despite being proud of what I do, it's the task of explaining and conveying it in a way that another would adequately measure the same as I - that is a chore. 

So, the next time when that person for some reason sincerely (or not so sincerely) wants to know "what I do"....I'll simply reply; "I grow things."  If they proceed to ask and really want to know exactly what I grow I'll go on to tell them;  "Oh you know, lots of things.....children, animals, plants, minds, hearts, values, morals,...."