Oh dear - many many changes!

My mom said, "Whatever makes you happy." Dad said, "Airline stewardess or dietician." The career options test said, taxidermy. I thought I'd get married and have kids.

I've been a retail sales clerk, model, medical claims clerk, deckhand, fisheries officer, coffee shop manager, telemarketer and teacher. Those are just the things that made some money to put the food on the table because I did manage to become a mother as well. I've also travelled a fair bit.

I always thought that owning land was the "root of all evil" but two years ago, realized that unless I wanted to become a bag lady, I'd better "get with it". I now own a house and a washer and dryer. I guess you'd say I've come a long way from being the wandering, free spirit of my younger days. I make plans. I have goals. I even have a credit card.

I was never good at life-long committments, therefore not very good wife material. My children call me a serial monogamist. I managed to be a decent mother. I defied the odds against single parents and produced a couple of decent, intelligent, emotionally stable, human beings. I also managed to remain friends with the fathers of my children.

I somehow thought that my life would settle down once I reached forty but have learned only to expect the unexpected.

I often wonder what my mother meant when she said she wanted me to be happy. For me, happiness is but a momentary glimpse of something very beautiful. Content? Yes! My friends are life long friends and I have many. I count my blessings every day.