Lonely Road

An Interview with Mary

By Brylie Moraski

“In my early childhood, I spent a lot of time alone, and I think it made me very independent.” This is what my neighbor told me when I asked her what childhood experience shaped her into the person she is today. She was the last of five children, and therefore was often left out. I could relate to that. I’m the middle child of three children, ages 12, 14 (me), and 16. Both of my brothers are quite sporadic in everything they do, while I’m more mellow, so it's no wonder I often get lost in their wake. Maybe that’s why I chose Mary. She is also mellow and was lost in the chaos of her siblings in her youth. She enjoys basking in the shadows, similarly to me.

Tell me something you’re proud of.

I’m proud of my daughter, and I’m proud of my career.

What did you do as a career?

I was in the real estate business all my life.

What childhood experiences shaped you into who you are today?

I was the last of five children. I was the youngest person who lived on the road where I grew up. In my early childhood, I spent a lot of time by myself. I think it made me very independent. I learned to entertain myself and be happy without needing a lot of people around – a skill that has sustained me into adulthood. 

Who did you look up to during early, middle, or late adulthood?

My mother. She raised five children, and she was supportive of each of them in a different way. She understood each of our unique potential and personality. She was supportive without being overbearing; she had the right amount of balance in raising her children.

Who was the most influential person in your life?

I had a boss at one of my jobs. He hired me at a young age. He promoted me, and he helped me see my own potential. If somebody can impact you without trying to – if you grow as a person, as an individual in your career, and also within yourself – that’s a really special thing.

What advice do you have for future generations?

Be open-minded about what your potential is or what your path will be in life. Be open-minded with other people. I think that people have gotten very narrow-minded, especially in politics. Over the past ten years, the polarization has become crazy. The way society is today, people are less open; it’s their way or the highway. 

How are things different today from when you were young?

The computer and digital era have changed life substantially, for good and for bad. Kids today have too much dependence on phones and computers. There isn’t enough time to devote yourself to the art of being imaginative, or simply communicating with other people.

I was in the car one day, driving my daughter and her friends when she was younger. Nobody was saying anything in the back seat. I turned around. They were all on their phones, texting one another. I thought, this is ridiculous; why aren’t they talking instead of texting?

What changes are you glad to see in this generation?

Some of the advances related to computers. It’s the yin and yangs of what that ability brings you. More independent thinking is encouraged among this generation than when I was growing up. The internet polarizes people, but can also help them form new opinions and think for themselves.