Back Then and Now

This is a photo of a photo of me when I worked at Boeing Aircraft Company in my twenties.  I did something with punch cards.  I used to love hooped earrings and I managed that curly bob of mine with great care.  A lifetime ago and yet I recognize that face 45 years later.  Those where the days I carpooled with my dad who lied to get me the job.  I remember a supervisor calling me into his office to take shorthand.  "I don't know shorthand," was my puzzled response.  I think this was around the time I was engaged to a man who ended up only wanted to be married on the weekends.  And I was desperately in love with an handsome older, married engineer at Boeing who seemed to feel the same.  What I wouldn't give to transport back and take a look at me on that day, facing the camera with my data card fan.  I would tell her that a lotta shit will go down.  But you'll move away from most of it.  Go to a lot of college.  Teach in elementary schools and universities.  Have love affairs with cowboys, poets, engineers, crazy psychologists and finally live a pretty much happily ever after with a big guy who builds houses, makes maps and looks like a Viking.  The deep and wide worries, unseen on this wrinkle-free face will become history as you near your 7th decade.  Only then will you be graced with the time and space to explore who you really are.