Do you know what an introvert is?

I didn't. Seven or so years ago, I was the bookkeeper for a small company in a small town in Florida. My boss had a son a couple of years younger than me who used to come and hang out in my office. I'd do my thing and he'd do his and we'd talk or not talk. One day he was talking about an article he'd read that he thought I would like called "Caring for your introvert". I don't know if I ever read it, I probably did (I like to read things). It was the first time someone had ever called me an introvert.

When I was growing up, my mom, brother, and stepfather always seemed to go out of their way to make me feel like an oddball. Sometimes I'd rather stay home than go out - especially if everyone else in the house is going out!! I need time to myself. Uninterrupted thinking time. I don't need constant stimulation. I'm totally fine sitting in complete silence - whether you're there or not. I read in the car mostly so I don't have to talk to the other people in the car. Spending time with people is draining for me. It has NOTHING to do with the person or people I'm with, it's just the nature of the beast.

When I was twenty-eight years old I met Kelly. Kelly told me that I'm a square peg and the world is made up of round holes. She describes introversion as having a "rich inner landscape" where "there's no room for other people". How's that for a kick in the ass? I'm not strange, like my family would have you think. I simply have a rich inner landscape. Guess what that means, people? You're not strange, either!! There is NOTHING wrong with you! Good news, huh?

Filling my inner landscape up with mudslides...