WHERE DID THIS DAY GO?

My days just seem to fly by, could it be my age ? Another birthday is 11 days off........and I can't believe I am another year older. Tonight was a good night......a telephone night as I talked to three dear friends and had a ton of laughs. I found out one friend's husband is really bad with Parkinson's and she can hardly leave. Another dear friend of both of ours, both airline pilot wives from my "other" life filled me in. Maybe I am luckier than I know. I have become strong, independent and hopefully in control of my life, but that was not always the case. Maya Angelou wrote a poem that made me think.....A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE......enough money within her control to move out and rent as place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to.....(No, I could never have done that in my 30 years of marriage and doubt any of my girls can.)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE......something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour.......(Yes, I think I always had that covered.) A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE......a youth she's content to leave behind. (Yes, I had a wonderful youth, but had no problem growing up.) A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...... a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....(Sorry, no juicy past to brag about, unless I can brag about traveling to 100 countries by the time I was 70 and have since added about 20 more.....Not too juicy!)......A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE......a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra......(I have all three and know how to use them all!!!!!) A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....One friend who always makes her laugh, and one who lets her cry....(Yep, Patty is always there for whatever my mood?)......A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE......a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family.....(I have many). A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE.....eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored. (Got all that and love to entertain.) A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE.....A feeling of control over her destiny.......(I lost that after 30 years of marriage ,but am in full control of my destiny now!) A WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.....how to fall in love without losing herself. (I think I have learned my lesson in falling in love!) EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.......how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship.......(Maybe I need a lesson in this?) EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.....when to try harder....and when to walk away......(Oh, all women know this?)....EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips and the nature of her parents.......(maybe diet and exercise could help the first two, but the last one is set in stone.)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....how to live alone, even if she doesn't like it....(AMEN!) EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW......where to go, be it to her best friend's kitchen table or a charming Inn in the woods, when her soul needs soothing. (I'm looking for a good Inn.) EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....What she can and can't accomplish in a day, a month, and a year! (That is why I make lots of lists!)........I hope this has made you all think, it did me!