SASSMEBACK

I am an urban woman of a certain age that is definitely nowhere near mid-thirties. I am fond of calling myself “every woman” because I’ve had enough experiences in my lifetime to understand my gender’s issues including our strengths and foibles. For instance:

I’ve been married twice, divorced once; I have three interesting and intelligent children (who sass me back occasionally) and always keep me on my toes. Five spectacular grandchildren never sass me back. I had my share of unhealthy relationships (neither of my marriages) and take responsibility for them.

I was a stay-at-home mom for fifteen years and a working mom thereafter. I’ve had a boss who pinched my ass, a boss who told me I would never make the same salary as my male co-workers, and bosses who challenged and supported me. I’ve also been a boss.

Raised Catholic, I attended parochial grade and high school during the era of corporal punishment and the threat of burning, forever-tortuous hell-fire for the sins of masturbation and “going steady.” I survived, have learned to live with the neuroses, and even have warm memories of many of the rituals. I was still a Catholic when English replaced Latin at Mass and during the Hootenanny/guitar Mass insurgence. I’ve been gone from the church for quite awhile now, my spiritual journey winding its way through Protestant churches and New Age worship. I now hang out between Agnosticism and Atheism.

My Mom taught me to be kind and to treat people like you want to be treated, and to dance. She also taught me to be afraid of everything in this world and in the next including “the street, the water, dogs, marijuana, atheists, Protestants, holy rollers, B movies, hell, purgatory, limbo (not the dance), and especially The Devil.” My Dad gave me a sense of humor, albeit a somewhat sarcastic one. Therefore I’ve ended up expecting the worse but fairly confidant that I’ll find a way to laugh myself through it.

Politically and philosophically, you would probably label me a liberal. Although like so many Americans today, I am thoroughly disenchanted with politics and politicians. I want intelligent and thoughtful individuals to be in positions of leadership, not self-serving pols who are out of touch with most of our nation’s citizenry.

I live in a city, but have roots in the Great Lakes region. Which means I like to wear sweatshirts with my Chico’s slenderizing jeans.