You asked, so I’ll tell. Being a writer isn‘t all I am.

BY Dawn Rankins

What a wonderful weekend here in the lake. A nice storm graced us and as I write this column, I’m mesmerized by the lightning over the lake.

Saturday night, I was invited to the CLAMS Country in the Park BBQ and it was awesome. I loved seeing a couple members of our Fire Department show up and socialize a little and then be able to enjoy a nice dinner before heading out.

While walking around and talking to people, I received two really nice comments about this column, and I’m so appreciative of that. I was also asked if journalism was always my career. Had to be honest and tell them no, however, I did say, writing has always been something I loved to do. Then today, while out with the Tuesday Work Group, I was again asked, “What did you do prior to the Friday Flyer?” I told this person, I was actually a marketing rep for a fire and restoration company, a company that I worked for for 26 years.

This got me thinking. I’ve had a few people ask if I’ve always been a writer. The short answer is yes. I’ve always kept a journal and I’ve always written letters, and as a marketing rep, I always hand wrote my Christmas Cards to my clients. To this day I love the personal touch of actually signing a card and putting a little note inside, but writing or being a writer is only part of what I do or who I am.

Me and my two birth babies. Photo by Dawn Rankins.

I have been a mom for as long as I can remember. I gave birth to my first child when I was 23 and to my second child when I was 27. I was the all-in carpool mom, the biggest cheerleader at their basketball games and I was honored to be their room mom in their classes while in elementary school. I was a wife, mother and I worked full time, but my kiddos were my world then and now.

Five years ago, I met John, and not only did I gain the most amazing man in the world for me, I gained two more sons. While they didn’t come from my tummy, they still are my world and are no different from my own biological sons.

Some of you asked who I really am. You wanted to know. I am a pretty open book. I am a mom, and a partner in life to an amazing and loving man. I’m a writer and now, I’m learning to be a reporter/journalist. Who I am is not defined by what I do, because I do so many things other than work. Oh, did I mention, I’m a quilter and a crafter, too, in my spare time.

Being a wife and mother is a forever job, at least the mother part, but we don’t need to slide down that slippery slope. Having children who range in age from 11 to 30 makes for a busy life in itself, especially when they are all sons each with their own unique personality. Thank goodness John keeps me grounded and helps me, especially on those going-crazy days.

I’m a pretty simple person. I live by the motto that you don’t have to like everyone and everyone certainly won’t like you, but everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. I love people, but I don’t do well in large crowds, but The Friday Flyer is certainly taking me out of that comfort zone.

I absolutely love the holidays and decorating for all of them. My kids all know I have an open-door policy. The older boys know they can stop by anytime and stay as long as they want. No permission needed to invite their friends to come along. Many of the boys‘ friends even call me Mama Dawn, a title I hold dear.

So in a nutshell, and I’ll probably leave some details out, I am a mother, a wife/partner, a writer, a quilter, a crafter and someone who loves the holidays. I love my family and friends and I would do anything for them. My sons keep me busy and John keeps me from falling apart. I have to write everything down or I forget, so my calendar is a dear friend to me.

My forever loves are my sons, and my heart belongs to John. My family means the world to me and, of course, my friends and chosen family, well, they are the icing on my cake.

You asked who I am. I hope this answers the question, at least a little bit of the question.

My two other boys Grant and Tate from another mother’s tummy and my man, John. Photo by Dawn Rankins.

You all enjoy your weekend and until next week, take care. Hugs.