The author lost three husbands in a full active life. She found a new direction when most people are settling into a hopefully cozy retirement. Her life was always controlled by her perceived ideas about her obligations. Looking back, she sees mistakes she made to meet those obligations, by doing whatever was necessary to keep those in her care from knowing there was anything to worry about. Maybe the mistakes were a good thing.
Mistakes and all, she has arrived at a place in her life, filled with comfort and peace. She is in control and able to meet all challenges b being sure of herself, her talent, and her ability to make good decisions.
Current friends see her as a bit forward....expressing her opinions and pointing out the flaws in the world around her. There is great contrast between the "go along" unassuming person she was before "seventy-five" and the new person forged out of years of fear, calamity, desperation and hope.....always hope.
Tags: senior, retirement, obligations, parents, health, death
