Stranger in a Strange Land

[puppetmaker]

There are times that I am reminded that my life is a little different than most folks. It is the oddest things that set this off like a comment from a neighbor or someone asking me if I REALLY know someone or met someone because so and so said that I had. Or if my husband is THAT Peter David (all I can hear in my head is Zaphod Beeblebrox no I am A Zaphod BeelbeBrox, haven’t you heard I come in 6 packs now?) We had one of those happen at Disney World this past week.

My life is a little different. It has been my entire life. I grew up in an academic family with two professors for parents. I went into the theater and the entertainment industry and worked there for a number of years. I married a writer of stuff who’s work is enjoyed by many. I worked for a publisher of books that I loved to read and I got to work on Star Wars projects. Not quite the normal life.

I am very comfortable with my life. It can be interesting to watch people react to it. Sometimes the most fun I have is people trying to figure out who I am and how I fit into the picture. For example, we go to a Broadway Show and go back stage to catch up with a friend who is the lead in the show. We come out the backstage door still talking as the friend takes the time to sign a few autographs before being whisked away. I stand back and watch the crowd as does the friend’s bodyguard. He is looking for problems. I am listening to the crowd and I pick out that Peter has been made. So now they are sorting out who I am but coming up empty. Peter ends up signing a couple of autographs on the way out too.

I was thinking about this while Caroline attended the party of one of her friends. The other adults were perfectly nice and we chatted about this and that and the other. The mother of the girl introduced me to the others as Caroline’s mom and a Puppeteer and doll maker. Got some interesting questions from the group about what I do but there was also a bit of a gap that showed up. My common ground with most of these nice people was that I was a Mom. We didn’t even share common sports teams. We had a nice time but I felt a bit strange in that group. This use to happen with my bowling league but they have known me for 5 or 6 years for now so my odd life is just part of me.

I am grateful for my interesting life.

Comments

[mommyspike.livejournal.com]

This frequently happens to me too. I get introduced at school as 'the art mom' and subsequently get volunteered for things. When I socialize with other adults and they find out that I'm an artist, I get asked if I do 'faux painting' and get a full detailed description of what they want painted on their den wall or whatever. *L* If they ever ask what I'm working on, somehow learning that I spent the afternoon drawing zombies for a game book make them think twice about asking me to paint home decor.

[millysdaughter.livejournal.com]

At most school functions, you could be the queen or the pope but you would still just be "Caroline's mom" to the other kids. And that is the way it should be.