Recently our daughter asked Dave what he imagined life would be like at 70....and that got me to thinking about my life and what I envisioned it would be. And, oddly enough, looking back I realize I didn't really envision any of it.
I met Dave in college and we married when we were seniors.....so young. And here we are almost ready to celebrate our 49th anniversary. And I didn't really picture what a long-term marriage would look like. My imagination didn't go much farther than the wedding day and graduation. I didn't picture myself as a mom....but had a son and then a daughter and we seemed to learn how to parent along the way.
I didn't picture moving as often as we did from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic states. Back and forth as Dave's insurance career developed. I never would have imagined owning eleven homes!
I didn't see myself in any specific career....but found meaningful jobs as the kids grew. I loved selling real estate in New Jersey and felt proud about putting the kids through college. I loved my 15 years in volunteer management. (Working with people who give their time and energy because they support your organization's mission is just the best.)
And if anyone had ever told me that I'd learn to sail, never mind live on a sailboat for two years I would have thought they were crazy. That was never part of any life-plan I might have imagined.
I didn't picture myself as a grandmother....but here I am with four amazing, healthy, bright grandsons!
So maybe not having a life-plan worked out for me.....would it have been very different if I had a master plan to follow? I look back and think that luck played a big part, but so did hard work. Doors closed and others opened.
And day by day my life just "happened". Almost 70 isn't what I expected it to be.....but then again, I didn't really have any expectations about it. I guess I'll just continue to go with the flow and enjoy the life I've got. And share it with those I love....and every day realize just how fortunate I am.
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