I was caught unprepared several years ago to answer this question when it was first put to me by an elderly Jesuit priest at a family gathering of some friends. He was their “Uncle Bob” and I was engaged in some “small talk” with him when he suddenly asked the question, “Don, who are you?”
He was not looking for a flippant answer, or something like where I lived or what my occupation was… he was quite serious and sincere, looking for a much more substantial answer. I was rescued from my fumbling for a response by another guest who interrupted us - to my relief. The question has stayed with me, and from time to time I have reflected on an answer to his question, so here goes.
I come from German and Irish ancestry, and I’m a Catholic Christian. I’m one of six children raised on a family farm in western Illinois. I earned an engineering degree from the University of Illinois and was employed in technical areas of Caterpillar in Peoria for 41 years. The most important person in my life is Jan, my wife of 66 years. We raised five children and imparted our shared values to them as best we could.
I believe Jesus is the Son of God, who revealed his Father to us as loving and merciful; a Father who tells me I am beloved. My practice of faith is to follow Jesus and practice the golden rule that is shared by all faiths; to serve others and treat them as I want to be treated. I try to act with respect, empathy, and tolerance. I exercise the gift of free will in good ways and sometimes in bad ways, for which I seek God’s forgiveness and mercy. I rely on lessons learned from the past to help me address changes in the present and the uncertainties of the future.
I derive pleasure from music, literature, family, and friendships. I enjoy writing, following favorite sports teams, games, puzzles, and many celebrations. I think I have a sense of humor and try to understand and accept the different perspectives and opinions in politics and religion of others.
I enjoy following the lives of my children and grandchildren and of my many relatives and friends. My greatest accomplishment is our family; my greatest failures include my lack of a disciplined prayer practice and the inability to always express my sentiments and opinions clearly and lovingly. My life has been constantly blessed for 90 years!
How can anyone be more blessed than to have the gifts of loving parents and siblings, good health, a lifelong marriage, children with good marriages, and many gifted and beautiful grandchildren... along with eight great-grandchildren and two on the way! I am so richly blessed that my main mission in life from this point forward should be to constantly practice gratefulness.
Thank you, “Uncle Bob”, for asking.