We Are All Many Things

Today, an older woman, who lives in an assisted living home, was at the cat cafe where I volunteer.

She has become a regular visitor, as her assisted living home does not allow cats.

I overheard her say to a kitten,

“Your name is a palindrome - Hannah - it’s spelled the same forwards and backwards.”

I asked her if she used to be an English Lit teacher.

She said,

“I was an English Lit teacher. I was also a truck driver. I was many things.”

Then she said,

“These days I am trying to figure out how to get paid for reading.”

I looked at her conspiratorially and said,

“Let me know when you figure it out.”

As I walked out the door, the words,

We are all many things, kept tumbling through my mind.