Strangely Familiar, Yet Nothing Alike

I see hundreds of new faces everyday, most of which I will never see again. And if I did see them again, I probably wouldn't recognize them.

Every face reminds me of another face in some way... Some look, or facial feature, or gesture made by a stranger...and instantly they remind me of someone else.

This has been a sad thing for me in the past, particularly in San Antonio, when I would long so desperately to see a familiar face.

When I meet new people, I am immediately drawn to those who remind me of close friends. Almost like a casting agent, I'll give them a "type." Oh you're the Rana type, or the Emily type, or the Chelsea type...not to say that those three ladies are even remotely replaceable... but if someone reminds me of any of them in some way then I'll immediately like them.

Sometimes I don't like people based on who they remind me of. Recently, a facial feature reminded me of a girl I didn't get along with in high school, and I thought, "yeah, I'm not gonna like her."

I was wrong about that.

I can be too quick to judge, too quick to put a label on someone or something, and just decide and compartmentalize an expected relationship with some person. I shouldn't do that.

Each individual human being is a separate entity. Everyone is unique. Everyone has lived his or her own life so far.

I had a phone interview the other day for a nanny gig and the woman asked me if I had a peer or mentor that is the "type of parent" I want to be. Well I have tons of friends who are exceptional parents, so I had to think about it a moment, but then finally answered, "Yes, of course, my little sister Stephanie!"

My Chiclet.

I'm not really sure why I started calling her Chiclet. I think it was because she was little, so tiny, and her hair was so white.

We are so much alike, but such different people. We look the same, we sound the same, we have the same beliefs (for the most part), we can both sing, we can both dance...she can paint, and I can act.

She single-handedly kept my family together when I had given up hope for any future.

Her nickname for a long time was "Step-on-me Wallace," but believe me, she is not to be stepped on. Well, not unless you want your neck (metaphorically) snapped. She's the strongest woman I've ever known. The most loving woman I have ever known. She's an amazing mother. And, unlike me, her patience and compassion withstand every obstacle she faces.

I met a girl the other day that reminded me of her. I immediately liked her. They're nothing alike, of course. I'm sure I won't be able to tell this girl everything about me, or call her every time some boy makes me cry...but her smile still makes me feel a little more at home.