destiny

My grandmother had some antiquated ideas. They certainly seem antiquated now, and I rejected them as antiquated when I heard them oh so long ago.

Having lived through the Depression and the rationing of World War II, my grandmother always insisted on keeping her driver's license current. This, in spite of the fact that in all the years I knew her, I never saw her drive. Ever. Her husband drove. Or her son, my dad. Or, later one of her grandkids would drive.

She never drove.

But she kept her license up to date. Because, if rationing came back, we'd have another driver's license in the family.

More ration coupons for the family.

When I was in high school, she advised me-- more than once or twice.

"You're a smart girl. You could be a nurse, or a teacher. But make sure that you take typing in high school-- a good secretary can make some money too."

Nurse, teacher, secretary.

Those were the career paths she recommended again and again.

Good jobs for women, until they get married.

Of course, I wasn't especially good at following grandparents'-- or parent's -- advice.

I deliberately turned my back on those career paths.

(Especially the secretarial path.)

It's funny how things work out, though.

I've been an educator, formally and informally, off and on, for the better part of 30 years.

Over the last few years, I've been a caregiver or assisted caregivers.

And now, I'm working part time in the finance department of a school-- when I'm not substitute teaching-- I'm doing filing, research,wordsmithing and typing for others, writing checks, taking notes.

Funny how it works.