It makes me appreciate the blessings so much more.
(I wouldn't have thought so back in the day!)
I was born deaf in 1956 and this was discovered when I was some four months old in early 1957 - and the first three years of a child's life are the most important in linguistic development, so that was a blessing. My first hearing aid and speech lessons came when I was 9 months old. Does that make me an early late bloomer?
I didn't get married until I was 35 and I became a mother ten months later, two weeks before I turned 36. But I had to put my own personal life on hold when I had to leave her father (with her at 21 months of age), and we were embroiled in a custody battle that lasted until his death fifteen years later. In the midst of all that, I also had to care for my parents, particularly my mother, who passed away early this year. After her estate was settled, I faced a huge void in my life - who was I, really? What did I want to do with my life? Or just simply DO?
http://www.theowlslantern.com/about/ |
One of my saving graces was that I got fired in December 2010 and I knew that I never wanted to work for someone else. Not ever. Three months later a friend said to me, "I believe in what you're doing. How much do you need to start your business?" Having my own business has helped me to stay steady in dealing with that huge void.
I took Liv Lane's blogging e-course (Building a Blog You Truly Love) and early on in the e-course, some Very Important Questions were asked. What did I want to do? What did I want my blog to be about? Who would be the ideal readers? This was the first time I was able to sit down and actually think through such questions and come up with honest answers. Had I had such questions in my 20s or 30s, I truly don't think I would have known or been honest enough with myself. But because I had been kicked to the curb and then some, I was able to tackle the questions with clarity.
Well, good golly, Miss Molly! Answering them triggered off this crazy-awesome domino effect! I realized that I don't always have the patience to be an artist with pencils, paints, etc. but I always had wanted to do photography. That led me to upgrading a loved-to-death camera and then signing up for a photography workshop in the Eastern Sierras in October...and then...the opportunity presented itself for me to attend a photography workshop chasing the aurora borealis in Iceland! Of all places! In February.
The other thing about being a late bloomer is that I am more secure and confident with who I am. One of the hats I wear is that of astrologer (over 40 years), tarot reading (nearly 30 years) and medium (going on 13 years). It is part and parcel of me. Everyone has their beliefs, and I respect them for their beliefs (as long as no one is harmed), and I have learned to ask that they respect me for my beliefs as well. The playground of Life is big enough for all of us!
My life is literally beginning anew at 55 and I have a lot of goals to fulfill - owning my own residence, being with the right-for-me man, growing my business, traveling, and so much more. And I know I can achieve them all!
You can keep track of my late-bloomin' journey at http://www.inlilithsgrove.com/