I Forgot I’m a Genius

A favorite caveat of mine over the years has been, “How hard can it be?”

The two story, split-level 2,324 square foot home my family was living in at the time very much needed painting. I said, “How hard can it be?” It took me two years, I got it done.

     Play the harp? “How hard can it be?” I went to Dusty Strings, rented a harp and bought a teach-yourself book. Yes, I did make progress, yet I needed a teacher and found the amazing Harper Tasche, who’s been with me many a year patiently teaching me. It has taken me decades, I’ve done it. Okay, it is ongoing yet I’ve got the basics~

     Over the years, in watching people, in being involved in the legal system and social work, I noted that Justice is like Truth, it depends on who you ask. There’s a loaded statement. I could ask the prosecuting attorney, the parent of the young offender, or even myself, “What is justice in this case?” and get three very different answers.

I came to realize that we each choose a belief system. We can accept the one handed to us by parents, adapt it as we go to school, get married, enter a workplace, or a social community. Yet our beliefs are still a choice, even as they change.

Autumn Snohomish River. Photo by MDessein

‘Freedom comes in many forms’ is one I am just stepping into. Living in America, I definitely appreciate the freedoms I have to live where I choose, vote for whom I choose, work where I choose, and so many other freedoms. The deeper personal freedoms I am learning about are my freedom to say no when asked to do something, my freedom to simply be for a while, not listening to the ‘Mary, you should be doing xyz and being productive,” from my inner critic, and my freedom to be kind to myself.

A wonderfully generous contractor was here at my home recently helping me resolve an issue. I offered to help him with a literary project of his. Then I smiled and offered to play the harp for him on a family occasion. He smiled and said nothing.
“Everyone needs a harpist at some time or another, they just don’t know it yet,” I told him.
Indeed, don’t we all need a comfort, a balm, a beautiful experience to soothe us, to celebrate, or to enhance a moment we are in?

In packing and sorting recently, I found my graduation cap from the University of Washington-Bothell and the commencement program. Out of a class of 450, I was one of the top 20, the cum laude graduates. In telling my son about this, I remarked, “I forgot I was a genius!” He laughed for a full minute. “Mom, how could you forget that? I’m using that line!”

Graduation!

Are there times you have forgotten or had a stellar accomplishment pushed aside as the river of life had you surging along with family, work deadlines, financial obligations, neighborhood friction, local and national politics, and the list goes on. Remember your stellar achievements~

My daughter’s Siberian Husky had 11 puppies two months ago. Gorgeous little creatures. I’m getting a puppy!
How hard can it be?

27 Comments

  • Debbie Brownfield

    October 31, 2020 at 12:07 pm

    Very well written and true to life! ❤️

    • Mary

      October 31, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      Debbie~ Thank you. I appreciate your time to read and comment. Best to you and yours~

  • Bettyanne Hasbargen

    October 31, 2020 at 12:08 pm

    Once again beautiful woman you have reminded me of my own value. Hugs and love to you my dear friend💕

    • Mary

      October 31, 2020 at 1:09 pm

      Ah Bettyanne~~ Thank you. Peace and light to you, lovely one.

  • Aletha Jean Riter

    October 31, 2020 at 1:49 pm

    How hard can it be?…….. to raise a puppy?……. Loving this….Mary I could read your work for the rest of my lifetime.🤗 Congratulations on your newest addition, you will have to take a picture and send it to me. I wish you the best. Love and Light
    Aletha

    • Mary

      October 31, 2020 at 4:30 pm

      Lol, Aletha! Indeed, how hard can it be! I will make it up for a visit in the near future and we can share puppy and life stories. Peace and light to you, Aletha. Thank you.

  • Michele Ohge

    October 31, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    “How hard can it be?” The phrase is a deceptive one. It can be very easy to very difficult for the same task. But mostly it can be answered by how hard we have decided the task will be.

    Please do let us know what your new puppy’s name is and a photo or 2.

    cheers!! Michele

    • Mary

      October 31, 2020 at 4:32 pm

      Exactly Michele. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. All the best to you. I sure will have some pictures to share. Best to you.

  • Gayle Helseth-Kenison

    October 31, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    Oh Mary, I love this! BTW, huskies are very difficult, high maintenance dogs…but you can handle it!

    • Mary

      October 31, 2020 at 4:34 pm

      Gay! Thank you, I love that you read and enjoy, thank you. Puppy-ville! The dad is a rottweiler/german shepard mix. We shall see. Best to you~

  • Pat Moore

    October 31, 2020 at 7:34 pm

    Genius Mary!

    • Mary

      October 31, 2020 at 8:40 pm

      Starlite Pat!
      Thank you~

  • Michelle Twigg

    November 1, 2020 at 12:10 am

    Beautiful post. We have a tendency to minimize our accomplishments don’t we? Not sure why.

    • Mary

      November 1, 2020 at 10:02 am

      Hi Michelle – thank you. Take care and we’ll get a walk in. A good accomplishment !

  • Lynda Condon

    November 1, 2020 at 10:37 am

    You’ve always been a genius in my book 🙂 Praying all is well!!!

    • Mary

      November 3, 2020 at 8:50 pm

      Bless you, Lynda, I am sticking with your book~

  • Joy

    November 1, 2020 at 1:03 pm

    How hard can it be brings a smile cause that belongs at the end of many stories. (Translate accomplished) and also at the beginning of many of our days during these times.
    Connection (insert Mary’s posts, notes, thoughts) mean so much 💕
    Thank you

    • Mary

      November 3, 2020 at 8:52 pm

      Many stories indeed, Joy. Don’t we have a collection? Thank you for reading and for being a sincere friend.

  • Sharon Cordisco

    November 1, 2020 at 6:32 pm

    Oh, Ms. Mary, what a lovely piece you’ve written. So talented.

    • Mary

      November 3, 2020 at 8:53 pm

      Madame Radiance, thank you for reading and your kind words.

  • Terra Lea Dennis

    November 1, 2020 at 7:19 pm

    Oh Mary! Such fun to read this, written with style and humor! And you tied it all up delightfully!

    • Mary

      November 3, 2020 at 8:55 pm

      Terra Lea! Thank you, and for helping me gather my thoughts on this piece.

  • Donna M. Rudiger

    November 5, 2020 at 8:31 pm

    Hello and thank you for sharing your journey with us once again. So much goodness has come to you in so many unusual ways…..and it is still continuing. Keep looking up and moving forward, my esteemed friend!

    • Mary

      November 5, 2020 at 9:11 pm

      You’re welcome, Donna, my privilege. Thanks for reading and writing, onward and upward we go.

  • Liz P.F.o.R

    November 7, 2020 at 9:00 am

    Yes! Yes! and Yes! Available to help with your new teaching moments monster, as needed.

  • Liz P.F.o.R

    November 7, 2020 at 9:03 am

    Oh good. Someone needed to remind her. She forgets sometimes. We all forget sometimes.

    • Mary

      November 7, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      Bless you Liz! How great of you to come by for a read. I sure will take some lessons from you, thank you. Not sure when he gets to come home, as I am currently in the middle of a move. Is all good~ Peace and light to you three!