So I was thinking because I have time today that I was asked recently, where will I be in 10 years? That's a difficult question to answer when you're me. I answered, I'll probably be teaching somewhere, several of my children will have graduated from high school and be moving on in their lives, but 2 will still be with us at home, although I don't know where "home" will be for certain. I will be 46 years old, and married 25 years! Hopefully, I'll be planning a trip somewhere...
Then I got to thinking, 10 years ago, am I now where I thought I would be? Hmm. I suppose I thought I'd have a crowd of kids and still be with my awesome husband, but I didn't know much about the 3 boys that I was still going to have. I think 10 years ago, I would have doubted that I would have my college degree, but now I do have it. Check one off in the "success" column. Some of the other cool things I've done in the last 10 years? Going to Yemane's wedding ranks toward the top. Going to Nashville was wonderful. Seeing Las Vegas was a mixed deal. Visiting the art museums in Kansas City and Omaha was really cool. I loved hearing the symphony, and some of the other events I've been fortunate to be audience to with my husband. I've learned to be a much better cook - even though I didn't really desire that - is an accomplishment anyway. Keeping in touch with long distance friends. Being an auntie to some really cool nieces and nephews, and becoming friends again with my sister. Being a writer. I'm in love, and I'm being loved, in a way that I never knew was possible which is probably the best of all.
But I also thought I would have traveled more than I have. It's ok that I've been to a few states, but, seriously, there's more out there than what my limited view has been. I assumed we might move the family to somewhere east or south. In my fantasy world, I thought I might get a job that would require me to travel somewhere once in awhile, if not regularly. Oh well. Something for the next stage, right? I guess the idea is to set a priority and work toward it. So if you're a mom of 5, in college again, and hoping to see the world, what's the next step I take to see it all?
What else will happen in the next 10 years? I hope to meet a lot of really cool people and experience their culture, even if it's different families just like mine. I want to have a few more snow days like this. It's really beautiful. And I want to keep running because I feel stronger than I have for a long time (the only time I felt stronger was when I used to swim in college, and when I hiked Teddy Roosevelt Nat'l Park at like 7 months pregnant with Jackson.) I'd like to build more confidence and become a better public speaker... although those goals seem distant. Other than that, I'll be just as curious as everyone else to see what happens...
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