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Ruth M. Penksa
My numbers break open the story of my life experiences. They are the revelation of who I am, this person who is the author of a second book.
I enjoy being called an author. As such, I have chosen ...view moreMy numbers break open the story of my life experiences. They are the revelation of who I am, this person who is the author of a second book.
I enjoy being called an author. As such, I have chosen a style to tell each numbered -story followed by a scriptural reflection to carry on the theme.
I am a Buffalo gal, born and reared in the Black Rock and Riverside areas- 14207- of the City. My family nurtured me in the tradition of our Polish heritage and Catholic faith.
While schooling was important my parents themselves had limited educations. My dad was a blue collar worker in defense plants. My mom worked in a variety of factory positions. Both had avocations as musicians. Dad played the saxophone, guitar and other instruments. He and his brothers were members of a family band. Mom was a snare drummer in a marching unit and a great harmonica player. They often joined musical relatives for Saturday night “hoe downs” in our home. Unfortunately, this not-so-musical daughter was relegated to listening.
My forte in my growing up years was art. It dominated my free time, my high school studies and my aspirations to pursue a career in art. The years before college found me involved in Church and volunteer activities. They found me working in a deli and at Woolworths. My interests were playing and coaching basketball, softball and ping pong and directing one act plays. I dabbled in skiing but fell out of love of the sport. In the early history of TV, reading remained my entry into other worlds and ideas.
By the time I was in college art was becoming a weak avocation. Teaching was my interest and I graduated with a Spanish major. Later I would pursue post graduate studies in Spanish, theology and philosophy.
During my d’Youville College days the librarian, a Grey Nun, had suggested that teaching was an avocation, that I should find my life “vocation”. That nudged me and a developing thought about becoming a nun. The day came with a decision. I would become a nun- a Grey Nun of the Sacred Heart. Now my life would be dotted with a new variety of experiences- in education, in teaching, administration and in a variety of ministries…
When I retired from Erie Community College-City in 2007, I had been a Campus Minister and adjunct professor of Spanish for 25 years.
It was shortly before retiring that I began to write my first book, The Scoop on Ruth. The book left much unsaid, unwritten and begged for more pages. Thus the author, Ruth, adventured into another book and the place where readers may check “my numbers” to learn more about this unknown author- Me.!view less