Have you ever written a wish list? You know, the some day I want to be... someday I want to do kind of list. I did once when I was in college. I had written it in one of those leather-bound, blank books along with schoolgirl poetry, songs I had written to play on my guitar and a pressed rose from a long ago homecoming dance.
I found that book tucked back on the shelf behind the others when I was rearranging the a bookshelf the other day.
This was my what was on my wish list:
- Find someone to love who will love me back.
- Have a family
- Be a good parent
- Travel the world
- Sing on a stage
- Go horseback riding on the beach
- Write a book that someone will actually read
- Have a career that excites me
- Make a difference
- Be skinny!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, so #10 was not terribly profound, but at the age of 17, looking good in those Calvin Klein jeans or a bikini was pretty important
Now 31 years later, looking at that forgotten list, it's nice to see that wishes can come true. I got the chance to travel the world, to sing on a stage, to write books, and have that glorious ride along the beach. I love my husband and my two sons and joy of joys – they love me back.
Some of my wishes are still a work in progress. As I grew older I've learned that being a good parent, a good wife, having an exciting career, and making a difference are not things you check off on a list. These are things you work at every day. But that's what makes those wishes so much more meaningful.
Oh, and being skinny – that one's off my wish list. I'll have to come up with a new #10.
Thanks for stopping by for a little life story. Stay tuned...
Joan Koerber-Walker
