My connection to Brad Pitt, Oprah and Charlie Chaplin

Southpaws Unite

August 13 is International Left-Handers’ Day. About 10 percent of the world population is left-handed so those of us who are southpaws are in the minority. Early on in my childhood, I remember having difficulty with tying my shoes. My parents are both right-handed which made the process hard for me to grasp.

Other things most people take for granted have an impact on you when you’re left-handed. All through school while writing in a notebook, my hand would get a smudge of ink on it. Then as my hand dragged across the paper, the page was covered with little ink splots. It was annoying to not only have the stained hand but also the blotchy look my reports and notes had.

I wasn’t much of an athlete but I adjusted the one season I played little league baseball. I’d like to blame my inability to become a hitting and throwing sensation on that but my middle son Mason shattered that myth as he had some success on the ballfield as a left-handed pitcher and first baseman. In high school when I worked at a grocery store I had to learn how to run the cash register with my right hand. It wasn’t the end of the world but just another hurdle to jump in the life of a lefty.

As you can see by the title, there are some celebrities who are also lefties. Oprah, Brad Pitt and Charlie Chaplin. So are former Presidents Reagan, HW Bush, Clinton and Obama. The legendary Paul McCartney and Bill Gates are also southpaws. You may know pro wrestling is my passion. WWE Superstars like William Regal, The Miz, Shawn Michaels and John Cena are also left-handed. I’d like to think I’m in pretty good company.

Oreo has gotten in on the day as well. They have a new left-handed cookie. Check it out here. And to my fellow southpaws, have a great International Left-Handers Day.