I Am Who I Am

A long time ago I worked with a woman named Jennifer at EuroComfort in the mall. She gave me a poem that she wrote and asked me to pass it on to any women I knew. She must have known more about me than she let on because I needed to hear what she had to say the day she gave me her poem. I was waiting to have my own "What's wrong with this picture?" moment...

I found the poem in a file of old papers a few days ago and what better way to keep passing it on than to post it on my blog. So here it is. If you're out there Jennifer, I didn't forget what you told me!

I Am Who I Am

I am who I am
Because my mother told me to be that way.
And if I wasn't,
Then I would surely hear about it.
I am who I am
Because the world around me told me I ought to be.
And without the world telling me,
Who, in the world, would I be.
I am who I am
Because I was shown I was beautiful.
Not only inside and out,
But everywhere throughout me.
I am who I am
Because the associates around me
Are who they are,
And that is who I should be.
I am who I am
Because I discovered what was wrong with this picture.
Why I could not, would not, and should not,
Be anything but me.
And so, I am who I am
Because I choose to be.
Not because something or somebody told me that
This is how I should be.
I am who I am
Because the sun set one day.
And it cast colors of my life that had been seen.
And many that had yet to be seen.
I am who I am
Because that day when the sun set,
I contemplated what it meant to be me.
In such a homogeneous,
Almost colorless society in which
I had created.
I became who I am
Because I found that different is good.
And that I don't have to have my hair done
And my make-up on to be
Beautiful
I am who I am
Because my life has embraced me with
Strength, Courage and Ambition
To be anyone and anything
And still be proud of being me

Jennifer Brown Perkins