becoming {claudine}

Recently I was in a local pizza place waiting to pick up my pizza when a man came up to me and politely said, "I must ask you ma'am (ma'am, hrmph) why do you keep that pencil there?  Is it to remember which is your left ear?"  

I had a bright pink pencil behind my left ear, as I usually do.  Sometimes the pencil is behind the left ear, sometimes behind the right ear, every once in awhile I realize I have pencils behind both.

The response that immediately came to mind was "Because I'm a writer."

But that is not what I said.  I babbled a bit about how I keep a pencil handy and journals handy, going so far as to open my purse and pull out one of my beloved Moleskins, flipping it open to notes jotted inside, as if to show him that I actually do use the pencil behind my ear.

He gave me a smile and walked away.

Which left me wondering, why didn't I respond "Because I'm a writer."

I certainly think of myself as a writer.  Just like I think of myself as a photographer.  But whenever I share that information with others it comes out as "I take pictures" or "I do a little photography, just a bit on the side."

There is something shy and small and, perhaps, a bit embarrassing in saying so.  I'm fearful in proclaiming:
"I'm a writer!" or "I'm a photographer!" or even "I'm a poet!"

How does someone become any one of those anyway?  What determines that you have reached that status, filled that role?  Who gets the say so?

And beyond a single role or passion or profession, how does someone fully become self?  Truly, the wonderful, unique, voluminous, complex self?

That, my dear readers, is a bit what this blog is about.  A space in which I write, photograph and tell stories of my becoming self.  becoming claudine.  And by your reading and responding, this journey of becoming is infinitely more enjoyable.  After all, isn't it that way, especially with women.  Making meaning through the act of story telling and the joy of relationships.

So it is with much pleasure that this week I am hosting three guest bloggers, each sharing a personal reflection on her own becoming.  And each approaching this topic in a unique and thoughtful way.

I hope you enjoy hearing their stories as much as I do.  After all, can't we all be part of helping others make meaning by listening to their stories, and allowing for the joy of relationship?