Page 12 - November 2020 Voices

PJ’s PERSPECTIVE

Who Am I?

PJ Kleffner, DTM - District Director

Do you ever ask yourself that? Sometimes I and kept walking, then heard it again – a little

forget, and not because I turned 70 this year. We more insistent this time – “Sir!” I ignored it
just celebrated the 80th Anniversary of District 7, again, until the third time, when the voice was
thanks to a fun Zoom event organized by Past pleading – “Sirrr?” I finally stopped, looked
District Director, Leanna Lindquist. This event around, and seeing a small child, said, “Are you

was supposed to be a nice, sit-down dinner back talking to me?” Yes, he was. I have no recollection
in the Spring, but we all know what happened of what he wanted – whether he was lost, hurt,
to most of our plans for 2020. Leanna was selling lemonade, or whatever. All I remember
determined that we would not let this occasion go is a strange feeling and thinking, “Wow, am I

uncelebrated, so we had a multi-media party on really an adult now?” Because that is the first
Zoom, complete with a historic slide show, swing time anyone had called me “Sir.”
band music from the era, and testimonials from Apparently, I’m not the only person to have
the many Past District Governors and Directors an experience like that. I recently found a

in the audience. birthday card for my nephew that said, “Happy
Getting back to my question (Who Am I?). A Birthday. Now that you are 21, you’ll be thought
few days before the event, Leanna mentioned that of as an adult…” Inside, it said, “By 6-year-olds
she would like me to say a few opening remarks everywhere.” It’s all a matter of perspective.

and introduce the Toastmaster, Past District That still doesn’t answer my question – “Who
Director and Past International President, Gary am I?” I read something many years ago that
Schmidt. My first thought was “Why me?”, then I each of us is three people – who we think we
remembered, “Oh, right. I’m the current District are, the person we pretend to be for others, and

Director, and we’re celebrating our District’s who others actually think we are. Unfortunately,
anniversary.” I don’t remember the source, and Google wasn’t
After this brief identity crisis, I had a flashback helpful. The main point was that the more
to something that happened when I was about 21. closely these three versions of ourself overlap,

I was visiting my parents in Southeast Portland, the better our mental health. For example, I
and walking back to my car when I heard this worked with someone for a while who was widely
small voice behind me say, “Sir”. I ignored it perceived as quite incompetent. However, he

12 ONE COMMUNITY