By Shellie Miller
Recently, I was reminded of the many times throughout the year that I reinvent myself. And I’m sure that many of you reading this article can completely relate. I may wake up every morning as the mother of four and editor that everyone knows me as… But depending on the day’s activities, I often morph into someone you may not recognize. Sound bizarre? Do you doubt that you have the same abilities? Lets explore.
The most recent happening that I can relate this to is St. Patrick’s Day. How many of us, regardless of our heritage, have a green shirt or button with a sassy saying like “kiss me, I’m Irish” that we have especially for this one annual event? Our children get into the color spirit, laughing, pinching and trying out their best Irish brogues.
Though I don’t observe Lent, Fat Tuesday brings out the celebrator in me. All day, I wear the most garish Mardi Gras beads I can find as I invite others to join me by offering colorful necklaces for them to wear. It’s not a party if there isn’t a team of us! Although many of my friends haven’t marked their calendars for one of my favorite days of fun, I really enjoy recruiting a giggle, a smile and a co-conspirator in this “mini holiday.”
Each year, Coral springs holds their Communitea, where attendees come in their native cultural dress. They sip tea from their favorite cups and share stories of where they are from. It’s a terrific afternoon not only to reinvent yourself, but to remember that each of us has a heritage that will always be part of who we are.
One of our family’s favorite events is the annual Renaissance Festival. For seven weekends every year, my husband and I attend dressed as a variety of different characters. Our children and friends join us whether they are in garb or not, reveling at the fun events, outrageous costumes and sense of community that this little Faire includes. Lords and Ladies abound together with pirates, wenches, princesses and fairies.
There are so many other times throughout the year when I believe each one of us can relate to some other culture that we’ve adopted in some way as part of ourselves. Do you use chopsticks? Can you remember a “best” Halloween costume? Have you worn cowboy boots without a horse in sight? Have you celebrated Cinco de Mayo despite the fact that you aren’t Mexican? Do you wear, decorate or eat red white and blue on the Fourth of July?
Regular life includes school, work, deadlines and mortgage payments. Why not reinvent yourself for a few fun hours? You may meet someone new who you think is pretty cool… It could be you!