"The Plan"
Expected time line = 10 years
- Graduate high school
- Obtain my pharmacy/medicine degree
- Get married
- Buy house
- Have kids
1998:
Graduated high school with honors - check.Got into top university for pharmacy/medicine - check.
Completed first year university on Dean's list - check.
Tragic car accident leading to death of family member - ??? That wasn't in the plan.
1999:
Moved overseas to attend even better university for degree and to start over - check.
Car accident causing neck and back injury - ??? That wasn't in the plan.
Doctors advised to pursue a different academic focus that did not require neck and back strain (tedious long hours in a lab). I switched my major to Commerce and decided to do a double-major in Accounting and Finance. Needed a new 'plan'.
Continue neck and back rehabilitation for next 10 years - check.
Work part-time, rehabilitate part-time, study part-time - check.
2001:
Mother diagnosed with breast cancer - ??? Again, not in the plan.
Drop out of school for a couple semesters to care for mother - check.
Married at young age of 20 - ??? You know where this is going.
Continued school in later part of year part-time while working full-time - check.
2002-2008:
Continued to work part-time and study part-time on scholarship - check
Husband got promoted and provided us with more income. Security established - check.
After many years, finally graduated with distinction and honors - check.
Secured reputable job at firm doing what I spent years studying - check.
2008:
Diagnosed with chronic disease and unable to do my job - ??? Huh? After all that work?
Kept changing jobs trying to find a flexible job that supported a balanced life style - check.
Symptoms under control - check.
Bought our first home with sound down payment to avoid heavy debt - check.
Things are falling into place again...
2010:
Husband is laid off from job he has had for over 13 years - ??? Not in plan.
Symptoms become erratic due to stress - ??? Not looking good.
Forced to quit my job - ??? Not looking good.
Pregnant late in the year - ??? Nothing is in place, how are we going to do this?
2011's New Year Resolution: No Plan
My husband obtained work with an income able to support us both in the short-term. Though I am a little lost without a plan this year, I feel great. I don't know what I am doing and I don't know where I will be at the end of the year.
I know this - Sometimes not having a plan is the only plan that can get you through all the challenges you're forced to face while still maintaining a thread of your sanity.
I am scared of the unknown, but I am also excited about the possibilities...
