What's something you've done that you couldn't have imagined doing when you were younger? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
If you are like me, when you reflect on the things that you have acquired and the experiences that you have had compared to what your younger self would have predicted, you are nothing short of amazed and surprised! I love teasing my best friend from college. She swore she’d never date outside of her race. Today, she is in love and happily married to…you know it! A man outside of her race. They are obnoxiously adorable, too.
We asked some Sisters: What’s one thing you’ve done that your younger self never imagined you’d do? Responses have been lightly edited.
Become a Dog Mom
I never in a million years thought I would be a dog mom. During the pandemic, I leaned into the idea. We went to “look” at a puppy, but once I made eye contact with this tiny shivering baby that my son held as if his life depended on it, I have never been the same. I was smitten by this furry little bundle of love. My son’s eyes had a look of joy that I had never seen. I decided against my own protesting to take a leap of faith and say yes! This fur baby has been the absolute best decision I almost didn’t make. We didn’t get a puppy; we received a gift! A new member of the family. In the past few years, my baby has been everywhere, from Costa Rica to Jamaica.
I have never been happier, or more relaxed. I lost my sister to cancer within a year of getting our puppy, Remix. Even though it was technically my son’s dog, I really believe Remix came to help me. I never would have been able to walk by my sister's side during the darkest days of our lives. He helps me heal every day.
Rita Beckford, 51, Atlanta
Become a Portrait of Perseverance
I never expected to call myself an artist. As a child, I was told I couldn't draw by my art teacher, which damaged my confidence. With encouragement from my family, I continued to paint. Now, my portraiture work is showcased in museums, and I recently had my first solo show!
Toni Toney, 50, Montgomery, Alabama
Navigate Through Fear
Growing up, I had a fear of heights and getting lost. This grew worse when I started to drive. I did not like driving alone long distances or on any roads that had curves or near mountains. When I moved to New York City, I was in commuter heaven—no need to drive! Then I moved to Buffalo, and decided to adopt a dog that was being fostered in Pennsylvania, a seven-hour drive away! Being new to Buffalo, I had no one to go with me, so I took my car to get checked, got AAA, set the GPS and printed addresses just in case. I practically said the whole rosary while I was driving. I was so nervous! When I arrived, I could not believe I had done it without getting lost, I had even enjoyed some of the rest stops. The next day when it was time to return, I was not afraid. Since then, I've done a few more solo trips. Trips with friends and family are great, but as I get older, I am enjoying the freedom of exploring at my own pace.
Ingrid Cordova 52, Buffalo, New York
Seek Out Peak Experiences
My younger self would have never believed that I would come to enjoy spending time in nature. Moving to California opened my eyes to the joy of hiking which was the biggest shock to me as I’ve never been very physically active. I grew up in Louisiana and while it’s equally beautiful, the humidity and mosquitoes were not my jam! I completed my first hike, making it to the top of the peak. After taking in the expansive sky above and land below, and getting back down safely, I knew I was ready. Every time I go for a hike, I fondly smile back at little me as I am so proud of every little step, she has helped me take to find my joy!
DaVida Smith Baker, 48, Glendale, California
Get Free from Gaslighting
I began as the most radical Christian. At 12 years old, I was damning folks to hell, spreading the gospel in judgment and in “love.” The people around me didn’t know what love is. I was in church more than in my Bible, adopting my family’s beliefs as my own, repeating words, believing fallacies, all in the name of faith. So many things didn’t make sense to me. People said one thing but did another.
I’d often ask questions just to be turned away. This is where the gaslighting commenced.
The main response I’d receive would be: “don’t question God!” That never sat right in my soul, always felt odd. Over time, God began to be revealed through different channels, such as music. I opened my heart to it, and I was finally set free.
JH, 44, Long Beach, California
Excel at a Prestige Job I Hadn’t Known Existed
I definitely never imagined I’d be a curator. I didn’t even know what that was until I watched a Doctor Who special when I was in college. I previously just wanted to work in a library or museum. Or a museum library. I applied everywhere the first time I entered the job market. I ended up in an academic library’s special collections division—something I never planned. I also thought curatorial work was so much responsibility and I’d never be trusted with that level of autonomy. However, my mindset changed when I actually made career goals that included being some kind of subject specialist in a library. The first opportunity happened to be a tenure track curatorial role at a Big 10 school. My job at the time was fine, but I couldn’t really advance, so I moved on and had the privilege of working with Black book and manuscript collections. My second academic library job was also great, but the tenure track proved not to be my ministry. I’m now in my current curatorial role where I have lots of autonomy and I’m trusted to do my work. It’s been an amazing change in my life and has opened me up to new possibilities. But mostly, it has deepened my love for Black history and culture. I love us, and we have a right to know ourselves.
Patrice Green, 30, Boston
What's something you've done that you couldn't have imagined doing when you were younger? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
