The Question
Hello friends, I have been reading through some old writings and it sparked a lovely memory. “The question” aka, “what do you want to do when you grow up?” Do you have the same answer to this question today as you did when you were growing up? Do you remember people asking you “the question” at well… every age in school, and at home? Teachers often asked “the question”. When I was a junior in high school my AP English teacher read my three page short story to the class. I don’t remember the title and I don’t have a copy of it. But, I do remember her asking the class “the question” and the assignment was to express the answer to “the Question” in a short story.
I wrote about the joy of writing and how freeing I thought it all was. I remember mentioning riding my bicycle down a hill really fast and lifting my hands high in the air. As if I took flight and with it came freedom, and that is what I wrote. I wanted to be free to write a successful book.
Writing allowed me to be free to express anything I wanted, free to create a story that brought joy or laughter. Free to express every emotion, every imagining, about me or someone I admire. Like the ride down the hill I wanted every word I wrote to create the perfect gust of wind for me to take flight.
At this very moment my answer to “the question” is still the same, “to write a book people want to read” . A book that lifted them up, that had them take flight through my words. A book that, if only for a few pages a day made the reader happy.
My teacher asked me to stay after class. She asked if she could keep my story, because it made her feel happy. She also said she would be the first one in line when my first book was published, and the first one in line for every book to follow.
I may not have written a published and successful novel, yet. But I do try and write things here to make you feel happy. How am I doing?
What is your answer to “the question”? Have you accomplished it? Are you still answering “the question” the same way you did when you were in high school or college? I’m excited to read your comments.
I look forward to seeing you join us on Thursday for the TFT blog hop. Thank you for finding the time to read what I write.
Katherine,
I really loved this post… I became a nurse because since my sister was one, my mother insisted that that was what I do…It never would have been the profession I chose for myself…BUT it served me well and I was able to provide my sons with a lifestyle that they deserved because of my profession and also allowed both of us to retire early at 62…I feel that right now, in retirement, I am doing exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up….I am gardening, decorating and crafting and I also do get to write whether it is on my blog or on my face book posts…If I did not become a nurse, I do believe I would have looked into some sort of career in journalism…And like you, I get to do that now…Thaks for sharing!!
Hugs,
Deb
Deb I know just what you mean. My Mother wanted me to be a translator ( I was always good at picking up new languages. She did also encourage me to be a writer as well. She thought I could do both. She is still my biggest fan. I ended up working in the medical field as well. Hubby and I discuss retirement often. He is so ready, but because of the health and life insurance he has decided to wait a couple more years. He’ll be 64 this October. I’m happy to know your nursing career was a positive one, even though it wasn’t your first choice. It is wonderful that it afforded you the opportunity to retire early.I think you are living your retirement life in a fulfilling way and that means so much too. Thank you for sharing. xo
Oh, I just love this, Katherine! You accomplished your goal because you write such wonderful things here at your blog. You are a such a good writer. I always had a different answer to that question, growing up. At one point, I also wanted to be a writer, and then a pre-school teacher, and then a doctor, and then a social worker, and then an occupational therapist, and then a school psychologist! LOL I did get the undergraduate Psychology degree, but never went on for the PhD. I ended up as a reading tutor, which was a perfect fit! xo
Oh Pam thank you so much my friend. I love that you found your perfect fit! I strongly believe God has a path for each of us and we know we’ve reached it when it feels just like that..a perfect fit. Thank you so much for sharing. xox
I started writing as a child and have always written short stories and poems, I’m working on my memoir now. As for what what my answer was, ever since age five I wanted to be a nurse. I accomplished that goal!!
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I’m so happy to know your goal was met and now I’m excited to read your memoir. Hugs
Thanks ♥