REFLECTIONS AS THE YEAR ENDS

Did I Waste My Life or Enjoy It?

My life was neither stable nor conventional for many years.

Goonie Bug is enjoying being petted by me.

My cousin feels her life was well spent raising two boys, traveling to exotic places and foreign shores with her husband, and collecting experiences.

My life was spent moving around the country, collecting boyfriends and ex-husbands, finally settling with one man and in one location for the past 33 years.

One husband left me alone, choosing his new sailing craft over me immediately after our small ceremony. What did I expect when marrying on April Fool’s Day?

My final marriage vows were pronounced in our living room, overheard by our interested parrots, and ignored by our snoozing cats. My wedding outfit was worn jeans, sneakers, and a baggy sweater. Typical, my family would say. So you.

Was my life well spent? Memories flood my mind.

Fly fishing for trout in Missouri, then pan-frying the catch for lunch and enjoying the company of a lean cowboy-type. Yummy fish fry.

Sleeping with my head resting on a saddle on an overnight horseback camping trip. There was no tent, just a sleeping bag in a clearing, our horses were tethered nearby. The saddle for a pillow is the…