Self-definition

I was sitting on my favorite beat-up old recliner yesterday evening, feeling sort of humdrum.  My tomcat was irritated that I had pushed him away from his throne, but to heck with him, he’ll get over it I think. Or maybe there will be hell to pay later who knows.  I’m not worried really I survived being wounded in Vietnam so I doubt that his menacing look will scare me…much!  Nevertheless, I decided that it was time to get my daily fix of social reality.  Over the years I have grown used to this routine.  Normally I would be up and running from sunup until sunset chasing the all elusive greenback, or doing my daily chores, and running from this damn cat’s daddy. He didn’t like me either! 

When he joined our happy family, way back then, he was the love of my wife and had just tolerated me.  Sadly, now it’s just him and me and now have come to the conclusion that I have been elevated from just being simply tolerated to being a servant that’s just totally tolerated! Does that make sense?  I think that maybe a little splash of Jack D in my coffee might help my writing here.  Anyway…

Part of my evening routine most evening and nights is watching the various news networks thereby keeping myself updated to the current state of things.  I sit, remote in hand although Alexa does it faster if I ask, I prefer old school button-pushing, switching from one good looking lady telling me that I need to social distance, to another dip telling me that a swallow of bleach will cure me if I catch this big V thing, to yet another mild-mannered look man, in so many words, that the previous 2 people are full of bunk.  I definitely need a bigger splash in my cup now.

Ah that’s better. So as I continue to watch, a question begins to form in the back of my mind.  How does a person define one’s self?  I mean like if I see something, anything, I have to break it down into various parts and then put it back together in my mind’s eye to begin to understand what it is that I am looking at.  Interesting thought. 

When I was a youngster, I was raised by my Grandfather.  He was a big rancher with solid morals and ideas.  He worked hard all his life and expected nothing less from my siblings and me. In my Grandfather’s world, a man’s word was his bond.  When something was broken you fixed it and you never did anything without first thinking about what would happen next as a result.  Children where to be nurtured and provided for and women where to be honored and protected. A true man would not cause problems, but yet never run away from them either. But the most important value he taught us was truthfulness to others and always to yourself.

Looking into my own reflected face I ask myself How do I define me?

I did my duty for God and Country when called upon.  I have always tried to help those that needed help. I tried never to judge others beyond my own self. I have and still respect any that have lived longer than I.  I try to think before speaking ( that’s not easy these days! ).  I always made every effort to hold to my word, unless it’s about killing my cat!

But the most important thing that defines the man that I have become today was the lovely small hand and wonderful blue-green eyes of the lass that became my wife, allowed me to share her life with her.

That is my Self-Definition of me

P.S. he still lives!!!

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