I am Maggie Younger. I am a daughter, a sister and a cousin. I am a friend. I am a loved one. I am a child of God. I have many faces and wear many hats, but in the end I am still Margaret Younger.
I attend the University of Iowa. I am an easterner to my core, being raised in Northern Delaware my entire life. Yet, despite what was expected, I ventured to the midwest and became an Iowa Hawkeye. Living in Iowa taught me a lot about myself. It added new aspects to my personality and a break from the life I knew. I am still an avid reader of The New York Times and Newsweek, but I learned, who you are is as big as you define yourself. And in the midwest, you can grow pretty big.
It is easy to lean on labels to define myself- easterner, woman, Episcopalian, and student. Living on my own and being in a totally different world taught me to acknowledge the other labels I could use. I am the granddaughter of a teacher, a nurse and two salesmen. My great-grandparents were all immigrants, from Italy, Sweden and Norway. They were coal miners, shoe makers, milk men and a salesman who trained as an architect. These men did what was needed, and thanks to their success in making their way in this new world, I do not base myself in the past. I think of what is to come, as these men did. Part of me is sure this is the type of world they hoped their great-grand children would live in. I do not label myself as an Italian, a Swede or a Norwegian; yes, these are part of who I am, but I am an American. And for that labelthose men risked everything.
I am the daughter of my parents. And my brother’s sister. I dearly love good food and cooking and the sharing a meal thanks to my parents. I love the sound a good exhaust system and I know the difference between a finely tuned car and imitation. While I am not a computer person like my dad, a pre-school teacher like my mom, or aspiring to be a doctor in molecular biology like my big brother—I love the lessons taught and the times shared make up my best memories. Out of all this, I am loved and cherished no matter what or who I become.
I am a believer. I have faith in people, in the world and in God. I am a pilgrim. I search for peace, and love each day. I am a churchgoer. I feel at home with the sounds of an organ being played and the descant being sung. I rejoice when surrounded in prayer.
I believe a song can change your outlook for the day. I am a lover of Country music and many other types. Lyrics can give me mottos to live by, and great pieces of advice. I cherish the feel of a warm summer night, either staring up at the starry night or driving with the windows down. I feel you should never take yourself to seriously and always remember to laugh, smile and cry when the spirit moves you.
I am compassionate and loving. I stay true to my word and I honor trust. I am a people person. I like knowing what is going on because I believe knowledge is power. I love to learn for the sake of learning. I am a fan of football, cars and good tea. I will smile and tell you I am easy to know, but that does not mean I am easy to understand. I keep people on their toes and make them never quite sure what my next move will be. I wear cowboy boots; I attend the University of Iowa; I will be out on Saturday night but in church Sunday morning. I will follow my heart and my head and make my own choices. I am who I am.
I am a 19 year old college student. I am a daughter, a sister, a friend and a loved one. I am a member of a community. I am family. My family is based on bloodlines and more importantly love lines.
I think big thoughts. I have an opinion and I will always share it when asked. I believe in speaking my truth and listening to those around me. I do not know who I will become, but I am looking forward to meeting her.
- Maggie Younger
