From “Julie’s Gems”: February 2003

I’m sure you’ve all heard the song with the lyrics, “You’re nobody till somebody loves you.” I used to like that song, but my over-analytical mind started turning those words over in my head. I know that most of you out there have a significant other of some sort, and I don’t want to exclude you, for this column is not merely for the single. I don’t want any of us to get caught up in thinking our worth is based on how someone values or devalues us. Try to remember that no one can make you suddenly become somebody just by loving you. You are strong enough on your own accord, even if you don’t think so. You’d be amazed at what you can accomplish alone. Please don’t wait until heart breaking circumstances force you away from a loved one and you are left realizing you have no idea whom you are. Write a poem, or an essay, or better yet, start a journal (it doesn’t have to be daily) and jot down your thoughts and feelings that are yours alone. For you non-mushy types, you don’t even have to go this far, just spend a few minutes a day in self contemplation and mentally ask yourself the tough questions about what makes you tick. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against being head over heels in love, but just be careful not to lose who you are along the way. In fact, being really comfortable with whom you are as a person will make you a much better partner to someone else than if you’re waiting for him or her to mold you. Take the time and discover whom you truly are and realize that you are somebody whether anybody is in love with you or not!
P.S. On a personal note to my sisiter: I dreamt last night that you had twins. A boy w/ red hair named Seth (of course) & a girl w/ black hair named either Isabell or Isabella. And that they were born 3 weeks early. (It was actually a really long & strange dream that started w/ dad having a heart attack.)