About The Author, In Her Own Words

Years ago, I was seeking employment with a recruiting firm. The person interviewing me opened the meeting with, “Tell me about yourself.” Now, there’s a dreaded statement most people have faced at least once in their lifetime. What does one say? How do you reply without sounding too perfect or shooting yourself in the foot?

Somehow, without a moment’s hesitation, I came up with an answer. I replied, “I believe I have the best of both of my parents in me. I have my father’s analytical, logical brain and my mother’s fun personality.” My response immediately gave the interviewer a clear understanding of who he would have on his team if I were on board. I’m certain he was surprised.

I have used those words to describe myself ever since. It is the perfect way to sum up who I am and how I function. I love my ability to think, reason, and react in a make-sense manner and often with a laugh. I can see the humorous and usually quirky aspect of almost anything.

The interviewer proceeded with several questions and then asked me to take a personality test. I had no objection to filling out the form and answering the many probing questions. I was interested in how the test would analyze and describe my personality and how I function in a group setting. I was eager to see if I agreed with the findings. The analyses revealed a few surprises, nothing major; otherwise, the descriptions of how I function and react to situations and people daily were spot-on.

As I was perusing the report, I noticed a -2 near the top of the page. A bit surprised, I asked what it indicated. He replied that it was my level of patience. I knew I was an impatient person, but a -2? He then quickly added that it was a “good thing,” as people with a low level of patience get things done. It’s true. I have little patience for many situations and plenty of patience for others. I know when I’ve come to the end of my rope, but I never let people know I have; it’s enough that I know. He then added, “You are perfect for this job.”

Did I get the job? Yes. He called my home the next day and offered me the position; however, I declined. By the end of the second interview, I could tell I didn’t have the mindset, let alone the desire, to work for a young, overly confident boss who wanted total control over his employees. My instincts told me his business structure had no room for individual thinking. I went on to find employment with a company that appreciated my personality and abilities.

Years later, I reinvented myself, transforming my long-time passion for decorating into a business. We all have various talents buried inside ourselves; however, one never knows when the opportunity will arise, either serendipitously or out of necessity, and we find ourselves involved with a passion that has been waiting to become a part of our everyday lives.

For over twenty years, my business flourished until the onset of the COVID pandemic. I had little to do. However, I soon discovered another strong interest emerging: a desire to write stories. Writing for me began several years ago when I met two women who were genealogists; they were my clients and members of the National Association Daughters of the American Revolution.

Describing their research and the aha moments they experienced upon discovering long-lost ancestors excited me. I began my own research to find my mother’s father’s side of the family. Mother never knew her biological father; her stepfather raised her. After conducting extensive research, I was surprised to discover that I, too, had a patriot in my lineage. His name is Gaspard Falcon, from the state of Louisiana.

People who research their genealogy are passionate about the process; however, it doesn’t mean the younger generations will follow suit. Many women say no one in their family is interested in taking over their books and files after they pass away. Old photographs, pedigree charts, and ancestral trees online are insufficient to capture the interest of younger generations. However, nothing brings a long-dead ancestor to life more than a story that weaves together the threads of their relationships.

That is where my writing began. I wrote of fond memories of my favorite relatives and family events, many of which held significant meaning for me. I have written stories of events that came to light years after they occurred; secrets once hidden are now in the light of day. Learning about my relatives’ early lives has given me a newfound love, respect, and admiration for those who navigated the mental and physical storms of life. I’ve written them down; I’ve told the truth.

Then one day, a friend told me about her family, her grandparents, who owned a generational family bakery in the small town of Martinsville, Illinois, and the rest is history.

~ Deborah Goodacre