This Is Me

I love this song from The Greatest Showman. 
It's a lesson more of us need to learn. 
It seems appropriate to talk about this on International Women's Day. 
Let's talk about who we are. 
Welcome to #ThisIsMe...the Holly edition.

I am a Woman.
I am part of an amazing family.
I am a friend.
I've been bruised, but I have healed.
I am all the books I've ever read...or written.
I believe in something greater than myself.
I am Gleeful.
I am Clay-Happy.
I am a Solitude Loving Camp Lover.
I am a Wood Splitter.
I'm a shower singer.

I am a Baker.

I am a Cook.

I am Weird.

I am a lover of odd science facts (Schrodinger, Pi Day...).
I am a lover of Buffalo Plaid.
I am curious, inventive, self-motivated and introspective.
Despite what people think, at heart I'm an introvert.
I believe in justice.
I try to see people for who they are, not how they're packaged.
I am so much more than all this...

"I'm not scared to be seen...I make no apologies.  This is me."

Who are you?

Holly

And while you're thinking about This is Me, here's a mash-up of it with Dear Evan Hansen's You Will Be Found...amazing!

#Ham4All

If you followed my spring NYC trip, you'll know I saw Hamilton AND Dear Evan Hansen this spring.  Oh yeah, I was living large.  Well, imagine my glee when I saw that there's a new #Ham4All Challenge on Twitter and Evan Hansen's cast did Guns and Ships...if you missed it, well, you're welcome!

Oh, I know.  Amazeballs.  After watching it I fell down the rabbit hole and looked up the hashtag on Twitter and there were so many amazing videos. Actors, singers sure, but fans as well.

It reminded me of Erie. Yes, I know, readers are used to the fact that Erie, PA creeps into my books and so many of my social media posts.  But there it is.  I love my town!  So do immigrants.  We have a vibrant community here supported Erie International Institute.  And The Erie Art Museum has an amazing program I've talked about before...Old Songs, New Opportunities!  I bought the CD a while ago and have enjoyed it...so have the kids in my life.  If you're from Erie or somewhere else, you need to check out this unique project and buy a CD.  

And when you're done, you need to check out The #Ham4All Challenge!  Watch the videos and make a donation today.  Let's face it, unless you're a Native American, you come from immigrant stock! I've been thick into my genealogy and I'm Irish, English, German and a bit of Scandinavian.  I think about my family who left everything they knew behind and came here to build a new life...one that led to me.  They had such bravery and optimism.  I hope I carry those qualities on.  And I think about all of Erie's new residents who come here with that same bravery and optimism.  I made a donation for them...and for every other person who comes to this melting pot full of hope and a vision of the future! 

Holly

PS As long as I'm mentioning The Erie Art Museum, congrats on John Vanco who retired from it and had John Vanco Way named after him.  John, you've made a wonderful, powerful impact on Erie...thank you!