My goal in high school was to prove that simple one-celled organisms could exist on Mars. I made a science project. I then became the “crazy Martian cheerleading chick.” My friends laughed at me. I grew cultures in a reproduction of the Martian atmosphere. They told me that I was crazy. I still won a prize. But no one understood what I was doing. This past year, scientists found water on Mars. They say that microbial life probably does exist there. I felt fantastic.
Not everything I dreamt of has come true….but I’ve had the most amazing adventurous life…I’ve travelled, I’ve loved passionately, I’ve broken away from a very patriarchal upbringing and forged a new path so that my daughter could walk it untrammelled by archaic tradition. I’ve kissed the Wailing Wall and kissed a kangaroo. I’ve been hugged by saints and hugged a few sinners. It’s not at all been the life I imagined for myself. It’s been better. It’s probably also been more painful, too. But the strength and vision I have acquired is extensive. My inner life was totally unformed in high school and now it is rich and fulfilling. I’ve studied with some great spiritual teachers. I’ve been blessed.
And to think….I have a lot more to go….:)