Hairy-Vaulter Cheesecake

Art by Madison Graham

All my friends have their versions of cheesecake and they are all very delicious. I am more an acquired flavor. But if you can catch me mid-vault and push the hair to the side, I think you may be surprised.  I have layers that didn’t make themselves known until a little later in life. Not to me, anyways. My Momma will say it was there all along, but Momma is rather fond of me and she may be a bit biased. I know my writing has sure shocked the rest of my family. Writing has become very important to me, but it surely isn’t all I am.

I’ve decided to share a few highlights of my life. Maybe you will learn something about what makes me tick. If you do, will you let me know? I’ve been wading through me for years now, and I am still a bit lost.

I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana several decades ago. The very first boy I kissed had a snotty nose and I remember gagging. I’ve never been fond of the slimy stuff and this sealed the deal at the tender age of 4.  It was a little peck on my cheek , but I was slimed.

When I was in school I played volleyball. No short jokes. I could serve the ball anywhere on the court I wanted. I didn’t have to spike, I could hustle. I also ran track. Again, no short leg jokes. These stubbies worked twice as hard as my long-legged friends and I ran the mile relay and two mile, plus slung the shot-put. I also participated in power lifting. I could bench 135, a full ten pounds more than my weight at the time, along with squatting 386. Not too shabby for a short girl, huh? I was also in choir.

When I married, I worked a lot in restaurants. I actually really liked it. I also sold cars for about 6 months…new and used. I had one month in which I sold 30 cars. But that was a whole lot of hours for a young mom to be away from her

Art by Madison Graham

children. I took night classes to be a real estate agent and soared through with perfect scores. But I never followed through with that. I found out they too work a lot of hours and being away from my children was not where I wanted to be.

Now, years later, I write and home school. Lots of time with my kiddos and my husband…just like it should be.

I really enjoy politics and history. I dabble in wood work and construction projects. I like gardening, even though I’m not all that good at it. I never put my faith in people because they will always, no matter how much they try not to, let you down. I know this because I often fall short without meaning to. I do put all of my faith in God alone. He never lets me down, even when I do not understand His will.

Now do you see why I am a Vaulter? All over the place, but somehow, with God’s help, my life is a beautiful, hairy mess.