What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

Here’s my direct answer: I am a “take-carer”. I know that’s not an actual word, but that’s how I would describe myself &, more aptly, describe the best part of myself. I wouldn’t exactly categorize that part of myself as being a caregiver, per sé, because that sounds like I’m a certified licensed nurse or something. However, I do like to & tend to give care to those around me. Also, since having a child, I have noticed my motherly instincts & mentality ramp up ten fold.

Perhaps that is one reason why I, in some ways, enjoy having my mother live with me & my family unit. It’s not only that multi-generational living is engrained in my family’s culture, & I don’t mind multi-generational living at all, but me wanting the role of taking care of others plays a huge part. It has been especially important for me to take on this role & responsibility ever since my mom became a widow. It gives me great relief to know that I can provide my mom a sense of stability, consistency, & comfort, filling the gap between the loss of my father & standing in his shoes (partially).

I also take pride in caring for those around me. My main role these days is to give care to my little offspring, but I also take care of all the other significant people in my life, & that gives me the greatest feeling of fulfillment.

How I care for the others around me varies, but I’d like to think of myself as a constant or consistent being that each person can attach themselves to at any time. I can be a helping hand, a guide, a shoulder, a listener, a hostess, a gift-giver, a person to make others laugh…although, I’ve only been able to make myself laugh lately, as only I am able to laugh at my own stupid mom jokes.

Yes, I would very much say that my ability as well as my desire to take care of others is my most favorite thing about, well, me. Do I make time to take care of myself? Yes. The thing I do best to take care of myself is to make myself laugh at least once a day, & I don’t mean a chuckle at a silly little anecdote, or an ‘LOL’ at a friend’s text. I’m talking about a nearly in tears, can’t stop clutching my belly, full blown knock my socks off laugh. That’s all, a fall-out-of-my-chair laugh at least once a day. I’m giggling even as I write this line.

That is all. LOL 🤣