THIS is it! This IS it? This is IT!
August 7, 2011 I wrote--On the verge of 50; single, dreaming, and three sons on their way in life. Why not? Dream big otherwise its just a to do list™, said Kim Lyons. My thought, I don't need anything to do; always plenty on that list. Hmmm, why not? What's money anyway? Is that what 50 is all about? Looking back on one-half a century and reminiscing about all the wonderful things that happened in life, quickly fast-forwarding through the questionable moments and wondering why dreams sometimes come to a halt. Woah, is the glass half empty or half full?
"Ask for what you want", says Val Miller. "Get mouthy this decade", says Teri Berglund. That's it. I want the dream to become real. Can I do it? I don't know. May I do it? Why not. Well, what would others think? Wait a minute, does it matter? What about money? Hmmm, really? Well, safety? Right!?!
I'm listening Amy Hinman, 'We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.' I promise, I'll behave myself. I'll make my momma proud. The glass IS half full! I can still fulfill my dream of traveling when I retire; plenty of time. All I need to do is plan...
Here it is...
Get married, have children, raise three awesome boys, get a divorce, figure out life, go back to college, earn a Bachelors degree. Not enough this day and age? You're right, better get a Masters degree, pass the CPA exams....yes, by the grace of God...take a job with a noticeably different company, that's it! Turn 50; life is good! I'm well on my way. Life is beautiful, right?
Beautiful Life
This is it...beautiful life. Is it a coincidence that this song was used in a Toyota commercial?
Probably not, March, 2011, my 2003 Avalon totaled on I-75 with my 18 year old son, Josh, in the driver's seat; my 25 year-old son, Ben and I watched in dismay. No, the worst did not happen, Josh walked away, but my Avalon didn't. Thankfully, Jake (my 21 year old son) was willing to join the party by picking us up and taking us to dinner! Needless to say, three weeks later, no fear, it's Venza time...everything a girl needs (almost).
Back to work, life is good. Several months later, off to Wyoming for my mother's 70th birthday party (Happy Birthday G'ma!). Ten days wandering the state of Wyoming makes anyone rethink life. How can I fulfill the dream? Retirement may never come. Think outside the box...that's it! Build your field of dreams and it will come.
Throw it to the wind...sabbatical? Many people have done that, right?
According to Dictionary.com
Sab·bat·i·cal
Adjective
1. of or pertaining or appropriate to the Sabbath.
2. of or pertaining to a sabbatical year.
3. bringing a period of rest.
Noun
4. sabbatical year.
5. any extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc.
That's it; time to rest, time to acquire new skills....Venzaliner50 is born!
P.S. Happy 19th bday Josh Rohde!
