ABOUT ME | SELF REFLECTION | LIFE
I’m a Mother, I’m a Lover, I’m the Friendly Delivery Girl, I’m Everything You Want Me To Be
Writing Prompt: How Do You Think Others View You?
Honestly — don’t you sometimes wonder what others think of you❔
I do!
And far too often.
The answer probably depends on who it is that sees me.
Me and My Village
We have lived here for almost 13 years now.
I am the mother of a child with Down syndrome and the woman who delivers the region’s free newspaper twice a week.
I am also a regular customer at both the hairdresser and the bakery. And recently, at the bistro as well.
I’m not sure what that says about me, but people are friendly and treat me well. 😎👍
Me and Colombia
Since my husband is from Barranquilla, I have visited Colombia several times. It’s incredible what impression you leave in a foreign culture.
The people were very welcoming from the start, but the motives differ significantly from person to person.
Sellers were always extremely courteous.
Surprising? As a typical European? My skin is quite light. Add to that blond hair, blue eyes, and the cliché of the “rich tourist” from faraway lands is perfect.
And because my origin is so apparent, my husband’s family wouldn’t let me leave the house without an escort.
Life was not always safe for the people who lived there.
And if I were then to wander around as a seemingly lost tourist in one of the worst areas, it just screamed out to be robbed — or worse.
Exaggeration?
Since a friend’s mother, who lived directly across the street from my mother-in-law, was murdered for money, I don’t think the caution is exaggerated.
By the way, my family has always been very loving to me, except for my husband. He’s a little stubborn. But still, a funny guy and I like him!
Unpleasant were sometimes older people when they have had one too many to drink. Then they became curious and asked me whether our family had relatives of Hitler….. Yeah, sure; what else. 🤦♀️
Sometimes they asked me directly if I was a Nazi. Not suspicious or hostile. But rather excited and eagerly waiting. Behavior that would be unthinkable in Germany.
The Holocaust is not a Hollywood movie but a terrible past that only proves how horrible we humans can be.
I forgive the seniors. I guess they weren’t given enough education and were, therefore, just unaware.
At least, that’s what I hope.
Me and My Mom
With my mom, I always have the feeling that, on the one hand, she’s very proud of me, but on the other hand, she regrets that I don’t make more of myself.
Our definition of a happy life differs in some respects. And I think she would have wanted me to have a “real career” — in whatever field.
I, on the other hand, am more of a minimalist.
And I am content as long as I have a roof over my head and food in the fridge, working electricity, and internet. I sometimes feel that she can’t understand that this is enough for me to be happy. However, I think she has slowly gotten used to the idea over the years.
I also think she believes me to be more than what I’m capable of. But such rock-solid confidence is a good thing.
At least she believes in me.
Indeed, I usually get in my own way.
💬 How are you perceived by the people around you?
Please share it in the comments!
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