An Interrupted Life
My life has been a series of interruptions. I married young (20) though not young for “my day.” I postponed a career for married life and children. Actually, postponed isn’t as quite correct. I hadn’t even explored what I wanted from life before I married. I thought “happily ever after” would just happen and married life would be fulfilling. It was not for me. I wanted more so I interrupted my life.
I went back to college in my 30’s and began a career in education. I found a soulmate, another “older” student, and mother. Jackie and I traveled 100 miles a day round trip through the Berkshires. Literally, neither snowstorm, family problems, expectations stopped us. Our professors loved us. We set the bar high. Politically, MA was undergoing tax issues and the climate was dismal for educators. Besides, my first husband loved to move but that’s another story. Upon graduation, we moved to Texas. I wanted more so I interrupted my life.
I became an educator. Being someone who seeks growth opportunities, I expanded my influence from teacher to central office technology to Director of Professional Development. After 25 years of working in public education inside of a system, I “retired” worn out. I wanted more so I interrupted my life.
I was shocked (silly me) to discover that I had no idea what to do with myself. Within 2 months, I began seeking out consulting and worked for a dozen years as a national consultant, co-authoring a book, externally assisting school districts. I want more so I’m interrupting my life.
I now seek communities of women to explore this time of life. As I move towards my 70th birthday, I’m not content to sit quietly. I’m looking for other rabble rousers. I want to make meaning of THIS time of my life. How do other women make meaning of their lives? I’m really intrigued with THAT question. I want more so I’m interrupting my life.
Would you like to explore interrupting yours?