Watching ‘Forrest Gump’ at the theater, when I heard my title in the movie, I giggled. At the time I was a mere 28 years old and didn’t think past which movie I’d like to see next weekend, or what clothes I’ll wear to work tomorrow, or what to cook for supper that night. I didn’t think about the deep, complex meaning those few words can truly hold.

It wasn’t a good four years later that my marriage ended. I moved back to my hometown and back into the house I grew-up in. I had a second chance at life and I wanted to get it right this time.

There were many things about myself that I wanted to do differently, so I got busy and found myself. In that time, I felt like a piece of chocolate in that box that was different in so many ways, but at the same time you could interpret the meaning a a box full of choices. In that box, I found the changes I felt I needed to make and threw myself in head first.

My work ethic grew. I threw myself out there and made my job my number one priority. It kept me busy and kept my head in a good place. I also ventured away from positions I was familiar with and tried something new. The big suprise was I was good at it and found a new love in the nursing field. I job-jumped for a few months, until I settled into the field of geriatrics, where I stayed until my forced retirement.

*In high school, a couple of friends and I made a list of things we wanted to accomplish in life. My main thing on my list was owning my own business by the age of 40. I did it! It felt so good the day we opened our door to patients. We won an award for our service, but then it felt just as bad to close the doors, when we had to. But we had an incredible six years!*

At age 28, watching ‘Forrest Gump’ , I would have never dreamed I would actually meet my soul-mate and have him propose on my 38th birthday. He’s my soul-mate. My first husband was a good man, we just went in different directions. I’m the person I am today, partly because of my time with him, but Barry is the man I was meant to be with. I am the woman I am today, totally because the love and support of my sweet husband!

As I threw myself into my new job, I forgot about all the other important things in my life. I missed my oldest sisters kids grew up, the next thing I knew they were graduating high school and my baby sister was about to have a second baby and her oldest was starting school. It was time to slow down and make time for me.

I guess what I am trying to say in all this babble is that “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get” (movie quote: Forrest Gump, 1994)……but it’s your choice, the box is full. Life is too short, make your choices count!