Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? Fireman? Spy? Nurse? Cowboy or Cowgirl? I’ll bet you wanted to be one or all of these things at one time or another. For some, it all depended on which TV program was most popular at the time. Maybe it was Ben Casey, Bonanza, The Man from UNCLE, or Emergency! you watched when you were younger. Me? I can’t remember what my favorite shows were. I was too busy reading.
There was a time when I wanted to know EVERYTHING. And to me, that included history, especially the early civilizations like Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the early formation of the European countries. I read everything. And I do mean everything—good and bad—even The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (yes, I know it was inaccurate and fraught with bad info…but I read it back when it was accepted as the real thing). Charlemagne was one my all-important historical ‘heroes.’ So was Herodotus, Aeschylus, and Pericles (and many more). Each were different. Herodotus was the historian, Aeschylus a writer of plays, and Pericles, the builder of Athens. I had no real Roman ‘heroes’ except for Marcus Aurelius who was responsible for what is known as the golden age of Rome. I also studied the world religions. This was on my own, without urging from my teachers.
That explains why I wanted first to be a teacher of history.
Then I decided that I didn’t just want to be a historian, but a writer-historian, like Herodotus. Because my interests were history and writing, I turned to journalism, at my stepdad’s urging. He encouraged me to study French (the diplomatic language of the time) which I did. Together we laid out a plan for my life: After being a news journalist and foreign correspondent for a few years, I would then teach history. Yes! My future was ‘set.’ This was all decided in my Freshman year in high school—at the tender age of 15. I would major in history and minor in journalism. In my Junior year I began to research possible colleges. I considered Penn State, UCLA, and the University of the Pacific in Stockton. In my Senior year, however, I applied to the University of Beirut, Lebanon (because they spoke French and specialized in ancient civilizations) and was accepted. Unfortunately, my life took an unexpected turn.
I got married.
Pre-marriage, my life at home was pretty bad right around the time of my graduation from high school (but that’s a whole ‘nother story, however). Suffice it to say that my stepdad was in serious trouble with the law and my home life was chaotic, tenuous, and at times even hostile. That’s probably why I got married—as an escape—a mistake a lot of girls make when they could have changed their lives in other, better ways. It was a pretty stupid way of ditching my problems, but rationalization set in. It was 1967 and it was Israel’s Six-Day War. Not a good time to pursue one’s educational goals, albeit in the middle east! Other wars followed, so I put the whole educational thing on hold and took the 'easy' way out!
I could have been a veterinarian, too. I love animals—all kinds. Once it was suggest that I should be a vet. I kind of liked the idea. I always took in the strays—the weak, the sick, the starving. I always nursed them back to health and found them homes. I’m doing that now: Project Cricket—a skinny, worm infested, barn kitty. She also has the dreaded feline herpes virus clouding eyes that drain constantly. There is long-suffering in her background, which makes me want to help her more. So far, so good. She’s starting to put on a little weight, but she has a long way to go.
I thought about being a vet…I just couldn’t deal with euthanizing a perfectly good animal, which I would have to do from time to time. Euthanasia is appropriate and necessary under some circumstances, and I agree with it when an animal has no hope of living a normal life. I just don’t want to have to do it.
So what did I end up doing? Ha! I went to work to support my family, especially after the kids came along. Although I went to American River College in Sacramento, I never really got a 4-year degree. Instead, I went to work for the State of California. I was a data entry operator, a government analyst, a personnel specialist, an upward mobility counselor, EEO Analyst, a disaster medical specialist, and of late, a resume writer (a side job I have done for the last 30 years or so). I’ve been pretty good at all of those things, but they weren’t what I set out to do.
I wanted to write fiction.
Nowadays I do write. I published my first book last year (Desperado Moon) and am working on another (The Last Conquistador). I don’t know when it will be finished—probably not for a couple of years. In the meantime, I still read a lot of history and provide aid and comfort to the local kitty population, especially Cricket. I’m doing what I can for her. And you know what? That gives me absolute and total pleasure—to be able to help and rehabilitate her. I’ve done it many times before and it never ceases to amaze me, how resilient our animal friends can be, especially if one applies lots of love along with food and medicine. However, this little kitty is going to be a major challenge.
When asked what my most fulfilling role has been (other than as the mother of my two fantastic sons and grandmother to my equally fantastic and amazing granddaughter, Samantha) I have to say finishing my first book and providing aid and comfort to helpless animals. I love them all: dogs, cats, horses, goats, geese, birds…you name it. I’m just a sucker, I guess. But that’s me—a mother, grandmother, wife, writer, and an animal lover of the 1st degree.
So what is the point of this particular blog, you ask?
It’s all about making choices in life—choices that ultimately affect the future. It’s about making the right decisions that help to determine who you are… choices that help you to be true to yourself.
To the younger set reading this blog: If life throws you a curve, it doesn’t mean you have to duck, jump, or otherwise let go of your dreams. Stay strong. Stay on the path. Follow your dreams no matter what happens or what anybody says to deter you (it’s mostly jealousy, anyway). Your time is now (before you get married, start a family, etc.) Finish school. Be the best you that you can be. The future becons, but it can be lost with a snap of the fingers or a decision made in haste.
There was a time when I wanted to know EVERYTHING. And to me, that included history, especially the early civilizations like Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the early formation of the European countries. I read everything. And I do mean everything—good and bad—even The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (yes, I know it was inaccurate and fraught with bad info…but I read it back when it was accepted as the real thing). Charlemagne was one my all-important historical ‘heroes.’ So was Herodotus, Aeschylus, and Pericles (and many more). Each were different. Herodotus was the historian, Aeschylus a writer of plays, and Pericles, the builder of Athens. I had no real Roman ‘heroes’ except for Marcus Aurelius who was responsible for what is known as the golden age of Rome. I also studied the world religions. This was on my own, without urging from my teachers.
That explains why I wanted first to be a teacher of history.
Then I decided that I didn’t just want to be a historian, but a writer-historian, like Herodotus. Because my interests were history and writing, I turned to journalism, at my stepdad’s urging. He encouraged me to study French (the diplomatic language of the time) which I did. Together we laid out a plan for my life: After being a news journalist and foreign correspondent for a few years, I would then teach history. Yes! My future was ‘set.’ This was all decided in my Freshman year in high school—at the tender age of 15. I would major in history and minor in journalism. In my Junior year I began to research possible colleges. I considered Penn State, UCLA, and the University of the Pacific in Stockton. In my Senior year, however, I applied to the University of Beirut, Lebanon (because they spoke French and specialized in ancient civilizations) and was accepted. Unfortunately, my life took an unexpected turn.
I got married.
Pre-marriage, my life at home was pretty bad right around the time of my graduation from high school (but that’s a whole ‘nother story, however). Suffice it to say that my stepdad was in serious trouble with the law and my home life was chaotic, tenuous, and at times even hostile. That’s probably why I got married—as an escape—a mistake a lot of girls make when they could have changed their lives in other, better ways. It was a pretty stupid way of ditching my problems, but rationalization set in. It was 1967 and it was Israel’s Six-Day War. Not a good time to pursue one’s educational goals, albeit in the middle east! Other wars followed, so I put the whole educational thing on hold and took the 'easy' way out!
I could have been a veterinarian, too. I love animals—all kinds. Once it was suggest that I should be a vet. I kind of liked the idea. I always took in the strays—the weak, the sick, the starving. I always nursed them back to health and found them homes. I’m doing that now: Project Cricket—a skinny, worm infested, barn kitty. She also has the dreaded feline herpes virus clouding eyes that drain constantly. There is long-suffering in her background, which makes me want to help her more. So far, so good. She’s starting to put on a little weight, but she has a long way to go.
I thought about being a vet…I just couldn’t deal with euthanizing a perfectly good animal, which I would have to do from time to time. Euthanasia is appropriate and necessary under some circumstances, and I agree with it when an animal has no hope of living a normal life. I just don’t want to have to do it.
So what did I end up doing? Ha! I went to work to support my family, especially after the kids came along. Although I went to American River College in Sacramento, I never really got a 4-year degree. Instead, I went to work for the State of California. I was a data entry operator, a government analyst, a personnel specialist, an upward mobility counselor, EEO Analyst, a disaster medical specialist, and of late, a resume writer (a side job I have done for the last 30 years or so). I’ve been pretty good at all of those things, but they weren’t what I set out to do.
I wanted to write fiction.
Nowadays I do write. I published my first book last year (Desperado Moon) and am working on another (The Last Conquistador). I don’t know when it will be finished—probably not for a couple of years. In the meantime, I still read a lot of history and provide aid and comfort to the local kitty population, especially Cricket. I’m doing what I can for her. And you know what? That gives me absolute and total pleasure—to be able to help and rehabilitate her. I’ve done it many times before and it never ceases to amaze me, how resilient our animal friends can be, especially if one applies lots of love along with food and medicine. However, this little kitty is going to be a major challenge.
When asked what my most fulfilling role has been (other than as the mother of my two fantastic sons and grandmother to my equally fantastic and amazing granddaughter, Samantha) I have to say finishing my first book and providing aid and comfort to helpless animals. I love them all: dogs, cats, horses, goats, geese, birds…you name it. I’m just a sucker, I guess. But that’s me—a mother, grandmother, wife, writer, and an animal lover of the 1st degree.
So what is the point of this particular blog, you ask?
It’s all about making choices in life—choices that ultimately affect the future. It’s about making the right decisions that help to determine who you are… choices that help you to be true to yourself.
To the younger set reading this blog: If life throws you a curve, it doesn’t mean you have to duck, jump, or otherwise let go of your dreams. Stay strong. Stay on the path. Follow your dreams no matter what happens or what anybody says to deter you (it’s mostly jealousy, anyway). Your time is now (before you get married, start a family, etc.) Finish school. Be the best you that you can be. The future becons, but it can be lost with a snap of the fingers or a decision made in haste.
Look at it this way: Your life is a box. The contents (you) are fragile and should be handled with care.
When someone says “Don’t worry, you can always go back to school,” don’t fall for it. Stay in school, learn, and put the polish on your own apple. Love, marriage, and kids will follow when you are ready. There is plenty of time to settle down.
Then, when somebody asks you what you want to be when you grow up, you don’t have to spew a list of regrets and rationalizations, work in a field you didn't want, or never make the money you could have made had you finished school.
Think of these precautions when you are about to make a life changing choice:
“Contents fragile.”
“Handle with care.”
And above all, keep “This [your] end up” and finish what you start.
Then, when somebody asks you what you want to be when you grow up, you don’t have to spew a list of regrets and rationalizations, work in a field you didn't want, or never make the money you could have made had you finished school.
Think of these precautions when you are about to make a life changing choice:
“Contents fragile.”
“Handle with care.”
And above all, keep “This [your] end up” and finish what you start.
