Interview with Michele

We are one human family. Sometimes in a family, there are some that loose their voice. Some that don't know they have a voice. Some who have never been asked their ideas or opinions. I believe everyone has a voice and a story. I ask random people that I meet or know 8 simple questions. Questions that plague us all, and the connective tissue that binds us as one human family.

Name or pseudonym: I don't do pseudo anything. I know my name and I'm happy with it. It is Michele with one "L" - all of my life, people misspell it but that's okay, it gives me something to talk to them about.

Age or birth date: I just interviewed a lady who I guestimate was in her 90's. If she didn't want to give her birth date or age, I'm thinking that may be the secret to long life so I'm not telling either!

What do you look like? It totally depends on whose eyes are looking at me. To my husband, I am beautiful. To my mother, I resemble my father because I have his eyes and smile. And, to my dog, I was an angel on earth placed here to provide all the love and kindness she would ever need.

Where do you live? I "live" wherever I am at for that moment in time. I've lived in European countries but always returned to the Hudson Valley of New York where my roots are firmly planted.

What's the meaning of life? I noticed that others have sort of struggled with this but I believe that Jungle Jim came the closest. The meaning of life is to love God and love others. Think for one moment about what made you the happiest, what touched your heart and brought a tear to your eye...I guarantee that "Love" was in the mix.

Are you afraid to die and why? I am not afraid to "die" because I know when I step from this life that I am stepping into the eternal life. I've nearly died twice and can testify that there is no pain when you are barely breathing next to the veil that separates life and death. Afraid? Hardly. Life is scary, not death.

Why are you happy? If you're not, why not? I am content in ALL things. Like the Apostle Paul, I've learned that happiness is fleeting but true contentment is overwhelmingly more satisfying. That makes me happy.

Anything you'd like to say to the world? We are all just aliens here. Earth was never meant to be our home. But, since we are all living in the same sandbox called the "world" it would be nice if we could play together without throwing so much sand in each other's face. Ah, but then we would have to learn to truly "Love" one another. It always comes back to God.