Welcome to Pondering with a Purpose -
This is my weekly hop where I post a prompt and you get to write to it on your blog - come back here and add it to my linky and then we all get to go read what you wrote!
I started Pondering with a Purpose because -- simply put -- I am a writer - - that is what I do (I just can't help myself)! And although I love following all the hops, I wanted to see if I could bring out some creativity in not only myself, but some of my blogger friends as well.
The rules are really easy:
1. Grab the Pondering with a Purpose Badge (in my sidebar)
2. Look at the week's prompt
3. Post something on your blog that relates to the prompt - it can be a story, a poem, a picture -- anything you want it to be.
4. Come back here and add the URL from your post to the linky list below.
5. Go check out the other bloggers who have added their links to the list.
6. AND most of all.... Have fun!
This Week's prompt is: Your Life
If you could start over, what would you be doing right now?
I have asked myself that question many times in the past couple of months. I realize that life has stages
First twenty years are all about growing up and going to school
Twenty - Thirty - figuring out who you are and maybe starting a family
Thirty - Forty - working to support that family
Forty - Fifty - enjoying the family before the leave the nest
Fifty - Sixty - working towards retirement
Sixty ----- living....
BUT I can't help but wonder what would have happened if I had made a different decision somewhere along the road (Ever seen the movie Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow?)
I had EVERYTHING going for me when I was twenty five. I owned my own house, worked full time, went to law school at night and even had a beautiful yellow lab. AND then I got sick....and I'm not talking the flu sick... I'm talking life altering sick. I was diagnosed with Epstein Barr Virus and my life was put on hold - and fast!
I stopped going to law school - I realized that is not what I wanted to do with my life.
Within 6 months I was engaged to be married to a man I had met at the grocery store.... (seriously???)
And eight years later I had three children and was divorced....
SO --- do you think I think about what would have happened had I not made those decisions? YOU BET I DO! I have walked the scenarios through my head so many times and you know what? Each and every time I end up looking at my life - as it is today - and I realize that I would not be the person I am if I hadn't walked that road. I look over at the pictures of my children and I realize they would probably not be here if I hadn't done those things....
Would I like things to be a little different now? Sure... I had never fathomed that I would end up not remarrying....but it is just not in the cards for me and that's really okay (most of the time!)
So, how about you? Any regrets? Changes? or are you exactly where you want to be?
I'd love to read a comment, or read a linked up post... or better yet.... Both!
Happy Pondering!
First twenty years are all about growing up and going to school
Twenty - Thirty - figuring out who you are and maybe starting a family
Thirty - Forty - working to support that family
Forty - Fifty - enjoying the family before the leave the nest
Fifty - Sixty - working towards retirement
Sixty ----- living....
BUT I can't help but wonder what would have happened if I had made a different decision somewhere along the road (Ever seen the movie Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow?)
I had EVERYTHING going for me when I was twenty five. I owned my own house, worked full time, went to law school at night and even had a beautiful yellow lab. AND then I got sick....and I'm not talking the flu sick... I'm talking life altering sick. I was diagnosed with Epstein Barr Virus and my life was put on hold - and fast!
I stopped going to law school - I realized that is not what I wanted to do with my life.
Within 6 months I was engaged to be married to a man I had met at the grocery store.... (seriously???)
And eight years later I had three children and was divorced....
SO --- do you think I think about what would have happened had I not made those decisions? YOU BET I DO! I have walked the scenarios through my head so many times and you know what? Each and every time I end up looking at my life - as it is today - and I realize that I would not be the person I am if I hadn't walked that road. I look over at the pictures of my children and I realize they would probably not be here if I hadn't done those things....
Would I like things to be a little different now? Sure... I had never fathomed that I would end up not remarrying....but it is just not in the cards for me and that's really okay (most of the time!)
So, how about you? Any regrets? Changes? or are you exactly where you want to be?
I'd love to read a comment, or read a linked up post... or better yet.... Both!
Happy Pondering!
Wow, I guess I always hoped to re-marry too but it just wasn't meant to be. I ended up being very "cautious" after my divorce. I have a really hard time trusting men, even now after all these years.
ReplyDeleteSo true.... and the strangest thing is they give us reasons not to trust them :(
DeleteI am full of what if's and as I am told ALL the time if you take away 1 thing from the past then it changes EVERYTHING in the future. I have so many bad decisions but anything that I would change would change me have my children so I try not to beat myself up on my poor choices.
ReplyDeleteI do know that the riipple effect is involved in this one....
DeleteThe kiddos change everything, don't they? Just one tiny little change in past could mean no kids or changed kids. Just goes to show that nothing in life is insignificant.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder about remarrying. I have been single now for 25 years, but occasionally have dreams about having someone sitting in my other rocking chair, enjoying life with me. If it happens fine, if not, that's fine too. Have a good day, Brenda.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a blog hop...I am happy to try it out. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good and interesting prompt.
ReplyDeleteYour life has been quite full and accomplished. You should be proud, as should your kids. As a single mom, you did well, really well.
Not everyone does have the same format, however: involving kids, raising kids, revolved around kids. Sometimes it is their choice to be childless, sometimes not.
Each of us has a path, and sometimes we walk it together, sometimes alone. There is no set format, and there are curves, dips, and intersections on the proverbial long and winding road. There is no GPS, and no map. For each of us it is different.
McGuffy's Reader
http://www.mcguffysreader.blogspot.com
P.S. I was diagnosed with Epstein-Barre in my teens, after having rheumatic fever & then mono. I have always struggled with autoimmune issues. It is not an easy walk. You have done amazing things with your life. Hugs to you!!
ReplyDeleteLove this prompt and your post. I completely agree. I wouldn't change a thing. I was diagnosed with Epstein Barre as well, I was OUT for a week. It was horrible.
ReplyDeleteWow--I learned a lot about you today! Great prompt and I will answer it one of these days but the short answer is no---I would not change a thing. Choices along the way made me who I am today and I like who I am and where I am. I had no idea about your illness--that really stinks to put it mildly. But you are such a talented and wonderful woman and I am so glad that you persevered through it all and are sharing your talent with us!!! Yay for you!
ReplyDeleteoh goodness....life got so busy this week, I missed the Pondering Post. And this would have been a very interesting one too because I would be in a completely different place. I mean so different, I am a little afraid.
ReplyDeleteUpon graduation high school, my drama teacher who was heading for New York City actually asked if I wanted to come with her. She had taught drama to me and directed me in numerous plays over 5 years - and even assisted me in my own first Director's role of our school play in my final year. She said "you could make it - you have more than enough talent." She already had the apartment and would help me get a job too. She already knew the auditioning ropes, and best of all? I'd still have my drama teacher with me to guide me along!
Can you frickin imagine? Me loose in NYC at 19 years of age? I was soooo tempted. then made the mistake of telling my mom. So, no go. ha ha ha
but what If I had gone? And had made it? I love my hubby, my children, my little town by the river.... but can't help but wonder: What if indeed.
Sounds serious, glad you came out ok! As for my life, I don't always worry about mine own but, about my parents and where I would or, wouldn't be had they married or, had different lives. : )
ReplyDelete