From Wednesday getting to know you at CaC:

1. question #255 - If you had to change your first name, what would you choose as your new name?

This is tough to answer. I love the name Jennifer but I have so many friends with that name I couldn’t. I wouldn’t feel unique then. My parents were going to call me Karen instead of Wendy. Some people have actually called me Karen when they are talking to me. I also love our daughter’s name. I guess that’s why she has it. Some people have actually called me by her name too. She has very strong spirit and is so charismatic that people often feel her presence so closely when in my company, it just happens. I don’t mind. I feel honoured. I have felt so very much a part of her too, even though she’s adopted.

For the sake of expediency I’ll say Bryn. I started writing a story about Bryn and her twin sister at Christmas time. She is a young soul trying to find her mother angel and in the process will also find her own angel spirit.

2. question #158 - What is your favorite saying, quote, or expression?

"To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk being called sentimental. To reach out to another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self. To place your ideas and your dreams before them is to risk being called naive. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair, and to try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing and becomes nothing. He [or she] may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live. Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave, he's forfeited his freedom. Only the person who risks is truly free."
Dr. Leo Buscaglia

3. question #49 - If you could buy any rare collection in the world, which would you choose? Why?

If I could buy any rare collection in the world I would buy a rain forest anywhere in the world where there are endangered species, some as yet unidentified. I’d share it with the world, yet take every step possible to protect every single being within its boundaries.

4. question #1 - If you could fly in a hot-air balloon over any city in the world, what city would you choose? Why that city? Have you visited there before?

I would choose Nairobi, Kenya. I would choose it because it is so close to Tanzania where so many wonderful creatures live. Yes, I’ve been to Nairobi. We were visiting some wonderful friends that were working as missionary teachers in a community outside of Nairobi. We visited their home and community. It was an adventure. We went on two safaris, which I loved. Some of the people in our group did a hot air balloon trip. If I recall it was the cost that was prohibitive for us. Some day…

And actually those same friends are celebrating their “100^th” birthday on Saturday. They live only a few kilometers from us now. (They both turn 50 this year, as do Greg and I)

5. question #221 - What is an item you own that has a minimal monetary value but has such sentimental value that you would not sell it for $5,000?

Another tough question as I’m not really into material things. I guess I could say my Bible. I’ve had it for many years. There are places that are underlined, many that are marked. The cover is coming loose. I don’t really stop to think about it often but it means a great deal to me.