When I was younger, in elementary school, I was determined to be a school teacher when I "grew up." Sometime during middle school, it changed to wanting to become a doctor. Sometime in high school it changed to wanting to be a nurse or something else in the medical field.
After graduating high school, getting married and moving to California, all of which happened in the span of 3 short months, I started community college. My goal was to become a nurse. The community college I was attending didn't have a nursing program so I majored in human biology as it had very similar course work. The very last semester before graduating (it took me 4 years, but I did it, and with honors, while working full time), I gave birth to my first child, my daughter Shawna. She was quite ill her first year of life, but thankfully outgrew the medical issues she had.
Although it was my hope to go back and finish up my dream of becoming a nurse, the reality of raising a child filled my life. Later, 6 years later, my son was born. 17 months after that, I became a single parent by way of divorce; one of the worst, and also the best, events of my life. Being a single Mom with two children took up much of my time and my resources. I had no thoughts but for my children and raising them.
The intent here is not to complain. Please keep reading, there is a point to this story.
Now, as my son is 16, I return to community college, yet again. I am finding out that my dream then of becoming a nurse is not my dream now. I worried that that made me less of who I am. It doesn't. I have realized that as it was when I was younger, hopes and dreams can change as you grow older and grow up. (Though if anyone tattles and says I am a grown up and growing up, I'll deny it.) I have not figured out what my dream is yet, what I want to be when I "grow up." That, and me, is still a work in progress. In the meantime, I think I'll work on getting an accounting degree.
Once I worried that my Mother would be disappointed in me, with this decision I have made. She wouldn't be. She would be happy for me no matter what I decide.
The point of the story is that it is okay for your hopes and your dreams to change. Life is all about change and adapting to these changes. How you adapt/react to these changes help define you as a person. Life's lessons so to speak. Until next time...
