Fine in the Pine – We wear many hats

By ROXANN CHAVEZ

“Who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”

I’ve been asked that question a lot lately, and I didn’t quite know how to answer the question. I just simply smiled and said, “Well, I’m me.” What this individual didn’t know is that I am a mom, a wife, a columnist with The Big Bend Sentinel and Alpine Daily Planet, a photographer, a volunteer, an animal lover, an advocate, a school supporter, a music lover and lovable person. All, I could think to say was, “I’m me.”

I was cornered at work by a salesperson the other day and he proceeded to try and sell me some advertising.  He asked if I was the owner of the business and I said no. He then started to fish for information. I smiled and knew his angle. He assumed because I had a badge that said store manager I knew nothing about ad sales. I quickly leaned in and informed him that I had eight years of advertising experience and I understood everything he was explaining to me, but he wasn’t answering my questions, which made me wary of his honesty so he quickly changed his attitude and left, conveniently.

I had two friends in the store shopping that day and I asked them if I was that pushy when I sold advertising. One of them laughed and said, “yes,” while my other friend said “no,” I was more like a friend and I never wore that much cologne.  We all laughed but it made me realize that we all have several talents, niches and experiences, which is a good thing. Be careful how we judge someone because they are standing in one spot in their life at any given moment. They may have been serving in Iraq a week before, or just finished writing a book, or saving a life.

In fact, get to know that person by asking just like that nice gentlemen I met at the store.  “Who are you?”

Roxann Chavez is a longtime Alpine resident involved in the community and school. Contact her at roxannchavez@gmail.com.