You and I share so many common paths and memories, Meg!
Reared in a time when we did not have such a glut of "things," no doubt our appreciation of simpler ones and our surroundings was heightened. (Early on, no television, air conditioning, etc..)
Our games were fewer early team sports (soccer, etc.); more board games and playing outdoors, stretching our imaginations as well as our bodies. That allowed us to work out our social comfort levels, better getting to know individuals, one on one, in not necessarily competitive scenes, and work through personal interactions.
We thus had distinct "selves" rather than identity as "team players."
You probably read a lot, too, and always were attuned to nature and God's Creations.
Give me skies and clouds and trees and nature - not meaningless "asphalt jungles" with hustle and bustle!
zzzzzzzzzz