Thinking About Rebellion

Some online friends and I were talking this weekend about what we want to do to rebel. It was a good conversation, which led me to some interesting thoughts.

I've always felt so boring. Never edgy. But then I got to thinking...

I've been rebelling since I was 20-something. When I graduated from college in 1980, women (especially in geology) went on to a Masters', headed off to a career, and maybe got married in their 30s. I got married right after my Bachelors', at 22, and gasp had a child at 23. I settled into momhood. I did not work out of the home (full-time) after my kids were born, (although I earned my teaching certificate at 25) never sent them to day care (I ran a daycare in my home) and Oh, Good Lord (ironic that those who use that phrase don't honor the Lord) got active in my church. When the time was right, we bought a hobby farm and started growing our own food. Then I decided to homeschool. 'Nuff said, there. Now that my kids are older and almost launched, I am resisting the idea of heading off to work. I want to sew and grow food for other people and maybe be a nanny, because I can't get over loving little people.

We've raised a lot of eyebrows over the years, and lost many friends with the decisions we've made, but I wouldn't change a thing. Well, maybe I'd find a way to live closer to some of my really good friends. But not without land, a horse and some chickens in my backyard, and a view.

I do think I'd like to be the grandma that takes her grandchildren off on great adventures. I want to live in Hawaii, England and Tuscany for a year each. Maybe even Seattle, if I can handle the Left Coast for that long.

And, most rebellious of all, I don't want to settle in the South or Southwest when we retire. Too hot, no seasons. I'll hire a farm boy to shovel snow.