There are two memories; each is vague.
The first one involves a five-shelf bookcase my dad built for me and painted olive green when I was a young girl. I carefully placed my mail-ordered set of “dolls from around the world” on the third shelf. They were arranged in a way that each could be seen wearing their native costumes. I loved “Japan” and “Scotland” best and they were positioned near the front.
The other memory is of a phone call I took, on our party line, from The Peace Corp., when I was probably a junior in high school. I was fascinated to learn how I could live and work in various countries around the world, for I had never considered such a thing. I remember speaking of the call only one time to my family. Their reaction wasn’t demanding or authoritative; it was simply nothing, null and void. I never thought about it again.
Well, I did end up thinking about it again, but only after 30 years had passed.
This was after I quit playing games. It was after I lost my interest in being successful and collecting possessions. It was after the decline and fall of a marriage or two, and a change of careers. It was after I found my voice again.
In time, these two distant memories made their way back to me and I wondered if I’d known all along, in deep recesses of my soul, that I needed to travel and experience other cultures. As I look back over my life, I am grateful, even for the sad chapters, because without those experiences I wouldn’t be where I am today. And today, I’m getting ready to change my life, one more time.
Do you have an early childhood memory that forecasted your future? Send me a comment!
Art Teach Travel 
[…] Last March, when I started this blog, I started tracking the art teacher jobs, going forward, from March 12 through September 4. There were 33 additional art teacher jobs posted in the SA daily post. Keep in mind this was after all the international fairs had happened. All kinds of things can happen to cause this. Maybe a candidate at Bangkok, who accepted an offer, had a change of heart and decided to abandon his post. Maybe an employed teacher had anticipated returning to her post, but a change in life caused her to have to leave her assignment. Life is like water, it’s fluid and ever changing. Remember: Your oath is your bond. […]
[…] Last March, when I started this blog, I started tracking the art teacher jobs, going forward, from March 12 through September 4. There were 33 additional art teacher jobs posted in the SA daily post. Keep in mind this was after all the international fairs had happened. All kinds of things can happen to cause this. Maybe a candidate at Bangkok, who accepted an offer, had a change of heart and decided to abandon his post. Maybe an employed teacher had anticipated returning to her post, but a change in life caused her to have to leave her assignment. Life is like water, it’s fluid and ever changing. Remember: Your oath is your bond. […]
My Dad brought me back dolls from the Vietnam War… Dolls are so special to me! What a beautiful post!
Mendy! Bless you for reading! Yes, we girls and our dolls. 🙂 Do you still have the Vietnam dolls? I’d love to see them!
Anita,
I too had a collection of dolls from around the world! They were a gift from my aunt and uncle who traveled. I haven’t thought about them in forever. Thanks for the reminder.
Jimmie
Jimmie!!! Thank you! Do you still have your collection? I may have a few of the dolls left, but if so, they are up in the attic at my parent’s house. Did you have “favorites” like I did?
What a beautiful post! Very moving. By the way, I love the top shot of your dolls. Great shot! How many are in the collection? Theadora
Dear Theodora,
I cannot tell you how much your comment pleased me. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. There were 12 dolls in the collection, but very few still exist, sadly. I do hope you’ll be interested in following my blog.
All the best,
Anita