Lest we forget, life is all about the little choices we make each day, multiple times a day, that lead to our quality and type of life. I am most often MY own worst enemy b/c I have the say in my life whether or not I will rise to the challenge to make decisions that will lead me closer or farther away from my priorities. Parenthood is a choice, so while I empathize w/ the lack of money for leisure, it was a choice. a career is a choice, whether or not one chooses to pursue it. I choose to not be a single parent b/c I do not have the resources to provide a child/ children with the lifestyle I want to give them; so guess what, I made this choice of my own volition. America is not the land of equal opportunity for all that’s for certain, but personal decision making and problem solving skills go a long, long way to creating quality of life. I do not yet have need for the list of phone numbers in that area of the world in case of needed services, but I chose a profession that is fulfilling yet pays poorly. However, I also choose to work my full time career and a part time job on the side so that I can enjoy my life’s pleasures. again, choice. I desire more options but the only thing I have control over in life is myself, and quite frankly, sometimes that’s a brutal stretch. So, keep those phone numbers handy, dream, plan, and take action if it’s a priority. I must say i would trade parenthood for future trips across the globe if the circumstances are right; but for now, I’ll enjoy my trips w/ the optimism that I will also one day experience the joys of parenthood that I so desire…Best of luck to all you ladies!! I must mention that I grew up w/out plumbing, gross!!! and eventually landed in the foster care system:( plus have had the need to tackle mental illness, addiction, poverty, and the trauma of severe abuse & neglect) but w/ the love and caring of exceptionally strong woman and men in my life, my “village” as I call them, I would not have the humble, simple, yet quality life that I have today. So I don’t believe in the pull yourself up by the bootstrap mentality…that’s too trite for the condition we call living. I do not say this to impress you, but to impress UPON you the tale that “if life gives you lemons, make damn good lemonade ladies!”

Life is to precious to allow mistreatment or betrayal. I trust my gut instincts and work to make decisions with my head rather than when my emotions are intense because emotions are fleeting even as valid as they may be. When I am experiencing conflicting emotions, if I behave on them, my life gets wacky, inconsistent, and painful:( It is wicked painful to lose a relationship, but even more degrading and crushing to the spirit of one’s self to allow others to treat us poorly and thus give them permission to crush our spirit.