following the yellow brick road.......

I had always imagined in my adolescence that I would grow up, but not grow old. It's not that I'm ancient, but I grew up in the generation that spawned the phrase: "Never trust anyone over 30". I was born in the middle of the boomer age, and life just got better everyday, because the world was changing, and we were just at the beginning of our lives. Many good years were ahead because technology was making our lives easier, medicines actually cured people, and TV had modernized our world.

Although my parents were strict, and discipline was the order of the house, my parents had a knack for raising good kids. We may not have thought so at the time, but the proof is in the pudding, and we all turned out well. They found importance in things we were learning, and made it their mission to bring us places all the time. Perhaps this is where my passion for history and geography first took roots. All outings with Dad took us to historical events or places. I even remember him lining us all up in front of the TV to watch John Glenn's orbit of the earth. I was real little, but remember the black and white images well.

Since I was the only girl, Mom made me tag along with her most of the time..... and that was ok because we either went shopping or visiting. Shopping was cool, because I still love to do that today (although it's more like drooling and wanting.... and can't afford). Visiting was ok too, because they'd plop me in front of the TV, and I was addicted. Back then, there were only three channels, and all in black and white. I still found something, even if it was an old Greer Garson movie. In the meantime, Dad would take the boys, and go off doing some other fun things with them. I have to admit, our family vacations were great! We were able to see many more places beyond our scope of Connecticut and New Hampshire, where we grew up.

So what's not to like about having a life like that? Nothing. Then I grew up and realized that it was a lot harder work being the adult, than it was being the kid. Suddenly my parents became wise and all-knowing, and now I was going to have to do this too. I didn't have too much adulthood with my Mother, as she died when I was 21. But her words still resonate in my head from time to time. (We've all heard them.... you know... "Wait till you have kids of your own", "When you move out, then YOU can make the rules. Until then, this is my house and my rules", and the ever popular: "Because I said so!"). It's amazing the number of times I've actually repeated them verbatim to my son.

This road of life hasn't always been easy, but it sure has been interesting. I never knew I was experiencing the full effect of the tornado that brought me here, as it all happened so fast. Why just yesterday I was diapering a baby, and today I am sending him off to college. To think at the time, I was worried that he wouldn't make it OUT of diapers. How's that for a tornado? Like Dorothy, I've met the most interesting people along the way. Most will remain friends for life, because we shared some type of bond that drew us together in the first place. Besides, one can never have enough friends!

The yellow bricks of the road were not always set in place securely, and there were many times I tripped. My will is stronger, and I did not stay down for long. My rational mind told me that I needed to pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again. I was lucky that my rational mind already knew how to beat up the depressing, self-pity mind, as it saw me through many character building situations.

I finally came to realize that I was my own best friend, as well as worst enemy. If I could reconcile and come to terms with that, I could actually get a handle on this thing called life. There were no patterns, only hands-on occurrences that got thrown at me constantly, and usually at the most inopportune times. It was all a matter of which was really good for me, and which was not. As the angel and devil on my shoulders held their discussions over it, I also learned to listen to my gut feeling. It takes a lot of practice, and I still goofed many times, but with age comes some amount of wisdom. It's the great reward, if you've still maintained your sanity by that time.

I've been delving through my links and reading all the stories about everyones lives, trials and tribulations. Let me tell you first, that you are all in my prayers. I feel like I've come to know you all in a special friendship, and you've all been very kind to me. I hate the problems that are plaguing your lives, and if I could, I'd wish them all away. That I am a mere mortal, I can't.

The best I can do is tell you that it is all part of life, the good, bad and ugly. We are not all on the same path, but we are all in the same forest. We all have to walk the path the best way we see fit.... and looking for Oz still contains the field of poppies before it. Even with friends to help you along, it still might be difficult to get through the front door. If you do get past the guard, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain; remember, your will and determination are far more important! What doesn't kill you, will make you stronger, right? How do I know this........ because I said so!