Who am I?
My name is Jason Barrett. How do I define myself? Good question. The answer probably depends on who is asking and how honest I want to be.
Let’s start with, I’ve never done a TED Talk (yet). I’m sure my day is coming, but I’m not there yet.
I’ve never been in Forbes magazine. Again, I’m fairly sure that day is coming too. Wait, actually I was in Forbes. It was a long time ago and I was in an ad in the back. Doesn’t count.
I’m not a celebrity, by the popular definition. This one could be tough, but I still think there’s a chance.
I have never quite made it to six foot tall. That one’s over. Still pulling for a growth spurt in my 40s, but have a bad feeling it’s going to be closer to my waistline than anything else.
Here’s what I am.
I am the husband to a fantastic wife. I may have out-kicked my coverage, or I may not. Just depends on whether you like girls or boys. It also depends on how much you want to get under my skin or how nice you are to people. Regardless, she is the apple of my eye, my best friend, and my absolute favorite singer.
I am a dad. I have five boys. They are easily the best looking boys you will ever see. They are also the very best behaved boys you will ever be around. Some of this is an exaggeration, but I will not reveal which, because it ruins the mystery.
I am a brother. My sister is my first friend, my first competition, my first irritant, my Secret Santa (not true), my family’s better offspring, much nicer, much better looking, and much easier to be around. None of this is shocking to her, but then again, maybe it is. She’s also a much better mother than I will ever be.
I am a son. This one seems obvious, but in today’s world you can’t be too sure. My parents are unreal. It’s hard to describe them. They are funny, fun, intelligent, firm, caring, my eternal cheerleaders, the reason I am here today, the reason I am who I am, and my first picture of God. I remember actually wondering how I could actually love God more than my parents. He had His work cut out for Him.
You can probably also guess that I am a Christian. I pray to God. Wonder about Jesus. Am mystified by the Holy Spirit. I disappoint, but am saved. I screw up, but am forgiven. I have so many flaws, but they are overlooked. I am eternally grateful, but never say it enough.
This is me. This is Jason Daniel Barrett.