Last week I spent a few days filling in for a friend at the law office where she works. When I say I filled in what I really mean is that I only did about half of her job, which was answering the phone then emailing the attorneys their messages. It was fascinating stuff. That, or my life is so full of dishes and laundry that anything done outside of our house without kids in tow feels like an adventure.
While waiting for the phone to ring during a slow afternoon I wasted more than my fair share of post-it notes by channeling middle school me and doodling. (My doodle skills still haven't progressed past hearts, rainbows, and kitty cats. I am the Lisa Frank generation.) That's when I found myself writing the words, "I Am Am I Who Am I?" Have you guys seen those YouTube videos? If not feel free to search for her then thank me later.
The words had nothing to do with mysterious, beautiful women but a question of identity. You see, I've worn many hats.
Insecure high school student (I realize this one doesn't make me unique.)
Bitter college student, pissed at the world and in love with punk music (Also...not unique.)
Girlfriend
Fiancé
Wife
City hall employee
Mother
Retail minion
Manager of children's cooking school (I still miss this job.)
Photographer
Social media content person
Insurance salesperson
Private school librarian
And now, the current version of me. Homeschooling mom and writer.
I've never really stopped writing since I was kid, although a lot of it was done in my head via daydreams. While it wasn't written down on paper or typed on a keyboard I've always had stories in there running laps, keeping me from focusing on the real life happening right in front of me. It's how I fall asleep every night, making up stories. It's how I keep from going a little insane from the beautiful, yet still monotonous, day to day life of feeding hungry mouths and sweeping floors.
I'm Scout Castoe, writer, and I'm happy to be here.
By the way, can any fellow writers tell me how long it takes to stop feeling pretentious while labeling yourself in such a way? I'd love to know.