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While typing in a new poem in my "Poem of the Day" section, it occurred to me that this decade is by far the best of my life.
I wouldn't go back to my twenties under any circumstances. I didn't know diddleysquat about life or myself, and frankly, if I had gotten married then--as almost happened--it would have been disastrous. I don't know where I would be now. Certainly not with the good job, comfortable home, substantial savings account, loads of books, several published stories, cuddly kitties, and the other things I have accumulated by my own efforts.
I suppose I might have gotten those things anyway, but it would have been a helluva lot more work.
Most of all, I don't think I would have reached the self-awareness I currently possess, the state of being content with who I am. I don't have to impress anyone, and I don't care whether or not I'm popular. I have time for me. This evening, for instance, I took off for a walk about 6:00, trying out a brand-new pair of walking shoes I bought today. I went my usual hour-long route and came back in nearly full dark. I didn't have to worry about anyone whining that I didn't fix dinner, or wondering why I would leave on a whim like that, or complaining that I wasn't around for homework and/or games (although considering my childfree state, the latter would not have occurred in any case).
I think more women should experience several years of living alone, of being accountable to no parents, roommates, siblings, lover or husband. No one but ourselves. It's an invigorating, freeing experience. It certainly helps you get over the idiotic idea of being worthless without a man. (Not that I ever had that anyway--my mother taught me differently from childhood.) It also helps you appreciate the difference between being lonely and being alone, and helps you battle the former while developing a taste for the latter.
(For a thorough exploration of the pleasures of solitude, I recommend May Sarton's marvelous book, "Journal of a Solitude.")
I know I'm lucky in that I'm very healthy and have no mental or financial problems (for now, at any rate). If that were different, I certainly would not be singing this tune. But I do think this is the best time of my life, and I only hope the coming years can treat me as kindly.
I wouldn't go back to my twenties under any circumstances. I didn't know diddleysquat about life or myself, and frankly, if I had gotten married then--as almost happened--it would have been disastrous. I don't know where I would be now. Certainly not with the good job, comfortable home, substantial savings account, loads of books, several published stories, cuddly kitties, and the other things I have accumulated by my own efforts.
I suppose I might have gotten those things anyway, but it would have been a helluva lot more work.
Most of all, I don't think I would have reached the self-awareness I currently possess, the state of being content with who I am. I don't have to impress anyone, and I don't care whether or not I'm popular. I have time for me. This evening, for instance, I took off for a walk about 6:00, trying out a brand-new pair of walking shoes I bought today. I went my usual hour-long route and came back in nearly full dark. I didn't have to worry about anyone whining that I didn't fix dinner, or wondering why I would leave on a whim like that, or complaining that I wasn't around for homework and/or games (although considering my childfree state, the latter would not have occurred in any case).
I think more women should experience several years of living alone, of being accountable to no parents, roommates, siblings, lover or husband. No one but ourselves. It's an invigorating, freeing experience. It certainly helps you get over the idiotic idea of being worthless without a man. (Not that I ever had that anyway--my mother taught me differently from childhood.) It also helps you appreciate the difference between being lonely and being alone, and helps you battle the former while developing a taste for the latter.
(For a thorough exploration of the pleasures of solitude, I recommend May Sarton's marvelous book, "Journal of a Solitude.")
I know I'm lucky in that I'm very healthy and have no mental or financial problems (for now, at any rate). If that were different, I certainly would not be singing this tune. But I do think this is the best time of my life, and I only hope the coming years can treat me as kindly.
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