Discovering YOU

It happens to almost all of us. Call it mid-life crisis or empty nest syndrome, there comes a time when we look back on the goals we had in our 20s, 30s, and even our 40s, and realize we have done a lot of what we had to do, what we needed to do, what we were expected to do and very little of what we wanted to do. In the everyday struggle to raise our children, manage households, forge relationships, obtain financial security, we constantly tell ourselves, “Some day…,” until we reach the point where we realize time is running out. And, that list of "want-to's" starts to look a lot like a “bucket list.”

It's never been a mystery to me that, throughout my life, I have always been interested in history. But, I can remember the exact moment when I discovered it wasn't just a passing interest, it was a genuine passion. About thirty-five years ago, I was visiting San Antonio, Texas, and standing in Mission Concepcion in its library. (By the way, for history buffs, San Antonio is a must-see.) On the ceiling is a fresco, called “The Eye of God,” and directly below it, in the stone floor, are indentations, caused from the feet of who knew how many penitents subjecting themselves to divine scrutiny. I placed my feet in those indentations and felt a tingle, knowing I was standing in exactly the same spot where once stood people whom history has long forgotten. I can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday, but my memory of that moment is like it happened today.

More recently, I've discovered the fun and challenge of learning about the different kinds of wine, after spending a lifetime convinced I didn't like red wine. Funny, I don't remember that awareness having a strong impact but, then, I'm sure that has something to do with the learning process. It must be working, though, because I have a nice selection of reds in my house now and am enjoying a glass of Tamas Double Decker Red, 2008, as I compose this post. (Tasting notes provided on request.)

Somewhere between history and wine, I discovered a talent for cooking, which luckily pairs really well with the wine interest, and an intense love for travel, which happily feeds my hunger for history.  

So, what's your passion? What moves you? And, what are you doing about it? Please tell me you're not just sitting there reading a book about interesting things or watching a program on TV about fun activities. Those are for when you have the flu and can't be around other people for fear of starting a pandemic, for crying out loud. Life requires hands-on experiential learning. Make a list, call it a bucket list if that will motivate you, but become a kid wishing on a falling star again... I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight. Then, make your wish come true! It's not that hard, really. Come back later and I'll tell you how it happened for me.

Just Another Blog

Just about everyone has a blog nowadays, and mine isn’t anything special. But, I’ll tell you what made me decide to blog. A few years ago, through my own error, I had to pay for airfare. (Long story, I’ll explain later.) I decided to “make lemonade” and use it for the first real vacation I had taken in 20 years; but not just any trip. I was going to a place where I had never been and knew absolutely no one… alone. I was so excited about it, planned it in great detail. (Trust me, the planning is half the fun. I’ll tell you about it later.) But, as I mentioned the trip to friends and family, I kept getting startled looks. My mother was aghast! Her response was, “You’re a brave woman,” with a look that said, “Stupid, but brave.”

Well, that was three years ago and it was the smartest thing I’ve done since... well, since 1996. (That’s another story, too. Bear with me, I’m just getting started.) However, the most frequent response from my friends, especially my female peers, was the remark, “I could never do that.”

And, that brings me to the purpose of this blog, to encourage my fellow baby boomers, especially the single females, to push the limits of comfort. Don’t sit around waiting for that life companion to happen along. Do! Go! Be!!

So, this blog is a story, in a sense, of a very late bloomer who is discovering how much fun life after 50 can be… about how I found my thrill over the hill.