Abbe’s Ruminations September 2025
Some of us come with enate abilities. Born with skills noted at birth—a destroyer who takes apart things and reassembles, a flighty child who dances to music and sings songs, the ones who take playdough and create animals with horns, scales, wings, and the one who paints the walls with images and colors. I was none of these. I read, thought, wrote, told stories, looked for laughter. And even these skills I had to hone. I was a studier, the observer who contemplated and asked questions.
I always wondered about my name Abbe Gene. They say a name tells a story, a precursor to who you will be. I imagined that I was related to Abraham Lincoln. A female version meant to be scholarly. That was until I discovered rhythms. I sang off key, my art projects were minimalist, but my body swayed with the drums and maracas when I heard the African, Spanish, and Latino beats. Their rhythms spoke to my heart. I love to dance with abandon—partnered or alone.
True to my nature, I found a calling in writing. As an author, I can observe, think, and imagine telling stories drawing pictures in a different way. I’m reminded that the other given name, Gene, isn’t t just a male version of Jean, but a clue that “genes” don’t totally define a person. In my 70s I’ve developed an enjoyment in painting. Some of you have received my art in the form of greeting cards.
Last year I bought an electric keyboard and slowly. I’ve progressed to playing melodies with both hands. I now understand scales, keys, sharps, and flats. Improvement. Just for the fun of it I’ve purchased a ukulele, egged on by my good friends who play with a group. I struggle with fitting my noncompliant fingers in the frets and must use an electric tuner as I’m tone deaf. I smile at my slow and steady pace. I realize there is no failure in trying. I’m simply waking up dormant “genes”. All of this comes in the package of me.
Don’t ask me to sing, sew, or knit, but I can mess around with Legos and playdough. My grandkids teach me well and awaken my fun gene.
I’d love hear more about the package of you. You can find me at www.abberolnick.com
