When I Grow Up

One would think a lady who is approaching 60 years old would be pretty established in her career and may even be considering retirement. Well, not so for me! My life has been unconventional, with many unexpected twists and turns, and new career pathways opening as I grow and go along this adventure of life.

Growing Up

When I was a little girl,  I loved to play with my dolls. I always wanted to get married when I grew up and have a lot of babies. At the age of nine, I almost died following a tragic accident in which I lost my mom and baby brother, and I spent two weeks in the hospital. The nurses were very kind to me, and from that point on, the desire began to grow in me to become a nurse.

After high school, I attended college for two years, then got married and started a family. My husband and I became the parents of seven children. I stayed home, mothering my children. Life was full amidst a myriad of joys, sorrows, and challenges. I wore many hats those days as a mom—cook, chauffeur, cheerleader, nurse, teacher, housekeeper, shopper, party planner, counselor. Life flew by in a whirlwind. Before I knew it, my oldest son was graduating from college.

It was at that time that I went back to school. After four years, I earned two associate degrees, one in Liberal Arts and one in Science in Nursing. I finally achieved my goal of becoming an RN! For the past six years, I’ve worked in the nursing field. First I worked on a hospital medical-surgical floor, night shift, followed by hospice work.  After that, I worked two years as a visiting hospice nurse, then a year of night shift, again at a hospice inpatient facility. I currently work part-time at a pediatrician’s office and love being a nurse and working with children.

Life Reflections

In recent years I have done a lot of reflecting on my life. I have been blessed with many varied experiences and a wealth of life lessons. God has brought me through some very painful circumstances and has healed me and given me joy in my life. He has provided for our family when times were really tough. God has a plan and purpose for my life, so I feel compelled to share the hope I have found in God.

I am blessed to have many friends and am involved in different groups. I am always telling stories. So now the desire is bubbling up in me to write, get published, and share the stories of hope and healing I have found. Since so much has been given to me, I feel that I have a responsibility to share it. Now I know that I want to become a writer when I grow up!

If you liked this story, you may also enjoy I Want To Write or How To Make A Midlife Career Change.

Katherine Perusek writes from Ohio.

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