Lin Manuel Miranda debuted Hamilton 10 years ago. In it there is a song Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story. It is one of my favorite songs. It gets me thinking about what I have done with my life.
Life wasn't easy. My mother never appreciated me until the end of her life when I gave up my life to care for her. My father was too friendly.
I will never forget hearing my Mom tell a friend, "Michael naturally gets good grades. If Michele wants good grades she really has to study." The irony is that when I took the standardized IQ test I got 180. I was in the top one percent of the nation in my SAT scores. Not only was I not stupid I had a genius IQ. I was the first child to get a college degree.
I took my brother Reid in and gave him an extra 12 years of life. I made it comfortable for him to finally come out. Alright so I kind of made it anticlimactic. He said, "I have something to tell you I'm gay." My response was, "I've known that since you were in high school. What do you want for lunch?"
I took my grand nephew in and took him where he needed to go to get into the Navy which had always been his dream. His parents didn't want him to join the Armed Forces because they feared Trump would get us in a war and Tristen would have to fight. Tristen always wanted to serve on a nuclear submarine and he got his wish.
I have taught many people how to cook. My Facebook page Food Holidays That May Get Overlooked has over 2,000 followers as I give my recipes for the day's holiday. I have a Bed and Breakfast in Cornwall that uses my recipes. I have people clamoring for me to finish the cookbook.
I have been successful with my art. I have made many sales over the years. Art is my passion. I will forever be grateful to my second grade teacher Mrs Bluestein who wrote on my report card, "Take a look at her art!"
I have been writing here since May 8, 2005. I try to stay upbeat. I explored the world of caregiving. You know a lot about my Pixie cat. I share my art, recipes and my love for outer space.
Life has been tough since they messed up my SNAP. You have helped me put food on the table and I am very grateful.
I am getting old now at 76. Looking back over my life for the most part I am content. I have always felt that life meant caring for others. I think I have succeeded in that.
