In my 20's I lived in a lot of different states, held many different jobs and have often wondered where I would end up living out my 30's. A few months ago, I left the Idaho town I had been living in for almost 6 years, masters degree almost finished and a teaching certificate on its way in the mail and went looking for a job. I have dreamed of teaching elementary special education and was amazingly blessed to be offered a position in just that. A small farming town in Wyoming is where I will be calling home for at least the next year and I hope for much longer after that. With such a huge move in my life, both physically, emotionally (Im leaving a LOT of baggage in Idaho) and mentally, I decided to adopt a slogan or two from one of my all time favorite artists, Jimmy Buffett, and try to live by them. Though Wyoming is a far cry from the sandy beaches of the Florida Keys, any change in latitude can bring about a change in attitude. And just like Tully Mars, Im packing my horses and Beth off to a new adventure. Im taking another road to another time and I plan to ride my pony in the sand even if there is no ocean.
I look back on the last 10 years or so of my life and Im happy for all the things I have been through and have learned. I am happy to close that book and leave the past in the past, heartbreaks, heartaches, tears and all. I will not pack the poor choices I may have made in the past with me. They stay at the city limit sign and Im seeing a new book with wonderfully blank pages in front of me. I will look for the positive and beautiful in everything and everyone. And if I forget this, dear readers, I ask you to remind me. I will age and love the gray hairs I continue to find in my hair and the lines on my face. After all, the wrinkles only go where the smile has been!
