In the first place, I have to say that I am not a risk taker. I like things that are true and have a solid outcome. I suppose that makes me kind of a dull person, but I’m totally alright with that bit of reality. However, one risk I did convince myself to do was to go to college at the age of “fifty” – old lady by that time. I did the research and made the applications, and I was off on a new journey.
I started at a community college near my home in West Virginia. At first, I just started with the basics – since I hadn’t been in school for decades. It was scary. Every class I took, I was the oldest person in a sea of young bloods with sharp minds. I felt like a fish out of water. However, I was determined to get a degree. Even though I was an old lady, I had confidence and wasn’t out to prove anything to anyone – so I asked questions and talked a lot! I was enjoying myself immensely.
Our lives were changing very rapidly. We were empty nesters. Our business was being sold, and it was time to redirect. My husband asked if I could do anything in the whole world – what did I want to do next. I didn’t take too much time to respond – I want to go to school to be a nurse. His eyes got big, and he said to go for it. Once again, I sent out applications and looked into monies to pay for this next step.
We ended up moving to Wisconsin. I went to Carroll University for nursing. I was thoroughly enjoying the classes. Anatomy was exhilarating. We had labs doing hands on exams. It was amazing. Things were moving right along very smoothly – even at my age. However, then I meet up with chemistry and the math that was involved threw me for a loop. I actually failed the first time around and had to retake the class and barely past it the second time around. My confidence was starting to wane a bit. Then the clincher came when I started statistics. At first the instructor was going slowly, and I was understanding. All of a sudden, he changed gears, and I was at a total loss. I began failing tests. I decided that nursing wasn’t for me, and I quit.
I felt defeated and angry. We made this huge move for me and here I am a failure. I got depressed and just sat around and ate. This wasn’t good for me – obviously! My husband sat me down and ask me a very pointed question. He said, “What do you like to do more than anything?” I answered, “I love to write!” He told me to get my degree in writing.
Long story short, that is exactly what I did. I went to Southern New Hampshire University online and got my BA in Creative Writing and English. I took the risk and obtained my goal of getting my degree. Sure, I didn’t become a nurse, but I am so happy that I just followed the steps as they were laid out for me. I’ve published one book, and more are on the way. I don’t regret this risk at all.
LaDonna Fridenmaker~Writer 