Now that I am older...

As many of you know, I am a perpetual worrier. My family teases me endlessly for my worries. I was labeled the "Queen of What if" from the time I was old enough to start asking..."What if _____ happens, then what would we do?" My parents even bought me a book to help me with these perplexing questions: The worst-case scenario survival handbook. I read it from cover to cover so I will be prepared if I am ever attacked by an alligator or someone is shooting at me from a moving car. Seriously! It was a great relief to have a guide to all these questions--and those who know me well know these are the kinds of questions I DID ask!

So, I have discovered (and yes, it has taken me 40+ years to get there) that it doesn't matter if you worry and lose sleep, when whatever it is happens--it happens. Am I better prepared? Maybe. However, I have learned that even in my deepest worries, there is always one scenario that I DIDN'T think of and that is usually the one that happens so I have to "roll with the punches" anyway.

The Department of Health is going through a reorganization right now. The only people it will directly affect is my little 12 person bureau--will we keep our jobs, will we move with the new division, stay with the old division, get a new boss, etc. Surprisingly, I am not worrying. Nope, not even a little bit--have I matured? Does worrying quit when you get older or do you just realize that things work out someway, somehow and for the best?

I used to spent my time anticipating the next step and worrying about what the future would bring. But now I wish I could slow down the world--I am loving this moment right now. I love my high school senior, and my eighth grader and my sixth grader. I love being with them, talking with them and every moment with them. All the stresses of work, school and life, melt away when I am with them.

So, why worry about the future--"my finest moment is the one I am standing in"!