By Jen Adair, Blogger at Slightly Tilted, Entreprenuer, Homeschool Mom to two fab kiddos
I always thought I was weird. I mean, I am weird, but I thought I was the weirdest one of them all. If I was normal, then why did things that were so easy for everyone else seem so hard for me? Things like rhythm. Things like a clear complexion. Things like friends. Why couldn’t I seem to have those things? I must just be weird.
Once when I was in third grade, I had my hair cut short. It was just above my chin. That looked pretty cute, but then, because it was supposed to be the thing to do, I got a perm. Oh, yeah, baby, you know what happened. 
My short, permed hair curled up and out and I looked like a walking, talking triangle. I was so mortified that I tried to convince everyone that I wasn’t Jennifer. I was, get this, a new girl named Ashley Pompom.
Yes. I did that. I was weird.
Middle school and junior high were awful. I wasn’t comfortable with myself at all, and so no one else was comfortable with me either. I got shin splints running track, so I was the “track manager.” Weird. I was the editor of the school paper and yearbook and wrote moody, insightful poems. Weird. I didn’t have anyone to eat lunch with, so I usually ate in the newspaper room with my advisor, and my mom would bring me something to eat. Weird, right? I was so weird.
High school and college were even worse. I wanted to fit in, but I just never really did. I was extremely lonely, no matter how many people were around me. I can’t explain it. I was just weird.
Weird things always happen to me. I bit completely through my tongue one time. Have you ever done that? Not only does it hurt SO bad, it’s…weird. I’ve never had the flu, but I’ve had mumps. I’ve had a boob job on reality TV. I homeschool. I’m sorta Jewish. Not Jewish. Jew-ISH. Who else do you know that can say all of the above?
Being a parent, and a much more secure person, has made me realize that my weirdness is that something special God gave me to help me be able to see – really see – another person in a new light. Usually, somebody’s weirdness is what draws me to them. We may bond over something we have in common, but their weirdness is what I love about them.
As mothers, heck, as women, we are hard on one another. We often feel lonely and isolated and unsure of what to do, what to say, and who to be. I’ll raise my hand right now and tell you that I feel this way a lot of the time. A LOT of the time.
I’m always searching for new members of my tribe. You know who you are. The people who weren’t always popular. The people who try to make the best of a bad situation. The people who walk into the room even when they are afraid of it. The people who put others above themselves.
But…that’s just me. I always thought I was weird anyway.
Hey. I’m Jen Adair. I’m an entrepreneur. Homeschool mom. CEO of organized chaos. Ok – it’s really not all that organized. Some days are great, some are not, some days I feel invincible, some days I can barely get out of bed. BUT…it’s my life and I’m living it. Browse my collection of random thoughts, humor (well, I think I’m funny!), images, links, whatever…at my blog Slightly Tilted. Sharing is caring, people! ?
