In her book American Dirt, Jeanine Cummins could have written, “looking in her mother’s purse feels personal” and left it at that. I would have known what she meant. Instead, she wrote, “It feels like opening her mother’s mouth,” and that let my mind experience the character’s raw, intimate emotion. Why do I read? For lines like this by authors who paint pictures with their words.

Tiny Details

This line also directed me to the tiny details that tell people who we are, if we choose to show them. Whether it’s what inside my purse or glove compartment or gym bag (omigod, I haven’t touched that in three months) or in my closet or refrigerator. My point is, if you truly want to know someone, look at what they don’t readily reveal and you will find out who they are. 

We Are Who We Are

If you looked in my purse, you wouldn’t find much—a small wallet, cell phone, hair clip, tinted lip balm, a pen and crumpled receipts. I’m not sure what you would infer, but in truth, I carry little in fear of back pain.

If you looked in my closet, you’d label me a slob or a hoarder. Take a second glance and you’d find someone who appreciates organization, who makes attempts to categorize, but is incapable of doing so. I’ve tried several systems—hanging, folding, color-coordinating—it all still ends up in deliberate disarray, and much to my husband’s dismay, I still sleep soundly at night. If we shared a closet, we’d divorce. My glove compartment and my gym bag would reveal similar stories. 

What’s in your refrigerator?

As a human resource professional, “what’s in your refrigerator” is one of my standard interview questions. It puts candidates off guard and tells me if they have a sense of humor, imagination, organization skills, and oh yeah, what’s in their refrigerator.

In mine, depending on when I last fulfilled a grocery list, an unorganized mass of color will assault you—fresh fruit, vegetables, and cheeses—but you’ll also find my vices. There will usually be one bottle of wine, or a hard seltzer for summer, and one dark chocolate covered confection. Today, it’s peanut butter cups and almonds. You’ll learn that I don’t mind following rules, but I also don’t mind breaking them. I’m also the only one who knows exactly where every single item is, so think about what that says about me.

Embrace and Learn

I once went grocery shopping with a friend who organized her shopping cart items in neat stacks and rows. As I glanced at the jumble of goods in my cart, thrown in without any care, I remember being in awe of her commitment to order. I also remember thinking that will never be me and I’m fine with that. I believe the details that reveal our hidden selves don’t need judgement, they need love and acceptance. 

Hello, my name is Sheryl, and I thrive on organized clutter.

Thanks, Jeanine Cummins, this is one great line.

If you can relate to this great line, I’d love to hear from you! Please scroll down and leave a comment.

If you’d like to read more about American Dirt click here.

If you’d like to read about me and why I started this blog click here.