Meme ~ Me ~ Meme ~ Me ~ Meme

The wonderful Naomi has tagged me for this meme. The gist of it is to name five things you didn't picture in your life when you were age 25. That's a long time ago - 1965! On my birthday in 1965, I was pregnant with my first child, and working as a Cytotechnologist in a hospital in Norfolk, VA. There were many things I could never have imagined back then, but here are five of them:

1. I could never have known that I would become a wedding and party florist. Further, I could not have imagined that I would be doing that and working from my home instead of a shop. I am very fortunate to have the talent for it, and I am even more fortunate to have found a way to do it without having to open a shop. In the 50's, Tennessee Ernie Ford sang about "selling your soul to the company store." That is exactly how I felt about it when I worked in a full-service shop while I was in college. There are advantages and disadvantages to working in your home, but the "ads" far outweigh the "disads!"

2. I could never have imagined that I would bear three children before the age of thirty, and end up with nine beautiful, smart, fabulous grandchildren to boot! I am indeed a blessed woman in that. I have a daughter-in-law of whom I am very fond, and one ex and one current son-in-law. I am very fond of the current one, but the ex? Not so much.

3. Like Naomi, I never would have guessed that I'd quit smoking. I started when I was 15, and had to sneak around to do it. I wasn't fooling anyone, of course, least of all my mother - who had the nose of a panther and could smell anything a mile away. I quit when I was 38, mostly because my children begged me to quit. I was most fortunate not to develop any serious health issues while I smoked, and I am so grateful.

4. I could never have pictured being in the good health that I am. Although I had many relatives who lived to advanced ages, I was never sure that I would as well. As an adopted child, one who did not learn her inherited health history until she was 57, I couldn't be sure. Anything can happen, of course.....but so far I am lucky to be in good health and energetic for my age.

5. This last one is hard to come up with. Since I was already married to mr. kenju by then, I didn't need to picture other men in my life, and I have always been grateful for that. In 1965, I had no idea where life might lead us. I wanted it to lead us to New York City, but mr. kenju had other ideas. At present, I am very glad we didn't move there, but at the time I was disappointed that he didn't want to move back to his hometown. I didn't know that I would change my mind about that...LOL. I couldn't have imagined that we'd be living in North Carolina, but I'm glad we moved here and managed to stay here for 38 1/2 years.

How's that, Naomi? It's the best I can do at present. Just you wait, though. The minute I hit publish, I'll think of something else!

Note: I will be working this week to get ready for a huge wedding I have next Sat., as well as the bridesmaid's luncheon. I may not be visiting as much as I'd like - but I will be back!