When I was a senior in high school, I wanted to be Michelle Pfeiffer in Up Close & Personal. I’d report important stories. I’d travel the world. I’d even fall in love with a handsome, not-nearly-as-old-looking-as-he-is-now Robert Redford if I had to.
Oh, and I’d totally have her cute haircut.
It took just one journalism course during my first semester in college to realize that wasn’t really going to happen. I had no idea what I wanted to be or do, but journalism wasn’t it anymore.
And yet, today I tell important stories. Maybe I don’t report about war and politics and change the world, but the words I write and stories I share make a difference to a few. And that means the world to me.
I’m cranky tonight, tired and pregnant with a cold and an asthma flare-up that’s making me feel like my six-year-old is sitting on my chest. [She’s not.] So I’m going to leave you with that VERY short version of my story and get to the important part.
I want to hear your stories.
When you graduated from high school, what did you think you’d be doing now? Tell us your story in the comments, or write a post on your own blog and link up.
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Hi from another Mary! I pray you are feeling better! When I graduated in 1968 I never dreamed the journey God had for me, or the one I would take with the detours I chose along the way.
I grew up on a small farm in S.W. Wisconsin, my dad died just after I graduated, and mom and I moved to town. I took all the secretarial courses I could in our small school. I planned to work in a BIG office…..just so you know, I do not like filing, I do not like all the paperwork that goes with an office, and I am a people person, not a desk person….lol
I have worked in several offices, helped my first husband build a construction business doing all the office work, went through a divorce, remarried, got an insurance sales license, worked at that for 10 years, went back to school, became a licenses lay pastor, lost my second husband to a massive heart attack, left my position as God’s caregiver to His flock, remarried, and now am retired and spend most of my weeks riding in the cab of a semi with my new and wonderful husband.
I always wanted to travel, to have time to read and study, and yes, even write. So God has provided that in the most unique way.
I do love my home, the one of brick, where I can cook and spend time with friends, but I also have my second home on wheels, where I get to see the world, watch the wonder of God’s creation, and spend time with my hubby.
NO I DID NOT DREAM THIS WOULD BE MY LIFE!
I can say God has been with me every step of the way, even when the path I chose may not have been the one HE had in mind for me. I have learned and grown, and have a deep abiding relationship with my Creator God, my Abba Father, and I am truly blessed with women who write blogs where I get to share in return. God Bless
Hello Mary! Thank you so much for sharing your journey – and the ways God has been right beside you, even when you didn’t know where He’d lead you next!
When I was in high school I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to be career-wise. But I did know I wanted to be a wife and mother. I had a whole plan – go to college (for something!), meet my man, graduate college, get married, wait 4 years and start a family. We would have a house, yard, pets, SUV, the whole nine yards.
The only part of it that came true was graduating college. Now that isn’t something to be overlooked, I’m proud of it. But I’m sad the rest of it hasn’t happened. And since I’m in my late (eek!!) 30’s I think the kids part probably won’t ever happen.
But I know I’m where God wants me at this point in my life so I try to be content. And sometimes it even works. haha! But I realized sometimes you just need to find a new dream. I am blessed to have the freedom to do just that :-)
I’ve been reading a series about contentment on another blog, and one of the (many!) thought-provoking things the author has shared is the idea that contentment doesn’t necessarily mean satisfaction. It’s made me think a lot about how I look at contentment and gratitude.
Also, YES, we are SO blessed to find new dreams!
Hi Mary! You and I have a similar story. I was positive I wanted to be a broadcaster for ESPN. I began college as a broadcast journalism major, fully intending on being Erin Andrews, before there was even an Erin Andrews. But then I let the awful “f” word creep in…fear. I knew I was a good writer, but doubted my on-air abilities. So in a move toward the safety net, I switched my major to public relations, telling myself that I moving to a broader area of communications and that I’d be able to pursue sportscasting.
Well…I’m not a sportscaster. And Erin Andrews does a great job on the sideline and on-set. I watch her (and others like her) with a little jealousy at times. But, like you, I do write and I do get to tell stories. And sometimes those stories are even sports related. I’m realizing (and learning to embrace) God’s plan for me isn’t always my plan. In fact, rarely is it ever my plan. But as the song says, “My future is a memory” to Him. And so far His plan is working out just fine.
I love that – our futures as memory to Him. I love seeing how He weaves things together (like you and I telling stories…just differently than we originally planned); I can only imagine the amazing tapestry He sees from his point of view!
I wrote this a while ago & feel it totally relates to what you wrote so beautifully :) will be checking out the rest of your series :)
http://allglorious-within.blogspot.com/2012/05/ponderings-on-turning-twenty-five.html?m=0
Thank you for sharing!
Had to giggle a little because my story there starts with “and I took one journalism class and … NO.”
I’m curious – why didn’t you stick with journalism? For me it was the emphasis on gray areas. As in, situational ethics and no certain black and white. In that time of my life, I simply could not handle that.
I think it was that journalism is so much current events (well, duh) and it just didn’t excite me. One of my least favorite classes in all of college! I prefer to write more about people’s individual stories.