How did I get here? One minute I’m in Kansas with my little dog Toto, the next in the land of AARP.
The tornado came out of nowhere…picking me up, spinning me around, and spitting me out. How did my life slip by so fast? How did I get to where I am today? One minute I’m a healthy young woman plotting my course in life. The next, a retiree plotting my way to the Emerald City.
I guess you could say I was one of the early explorers amongst my peers. A real Lisa Erikson. Most step onto the yellow brick road at the ripe old age of 65, picking their first apple from the Medicare tree. My MS spun me around and spit me out earlier than planned. But thankfully my travel group is expanding as many of my close friends and family retire as well. We’re all searching for a copy of the roadmap. Quietly wondering what to pack. Frantically shopping for a pair of ruby slippers. Size nine. Overnight delivery. Add to cart!
This journey seems to be filled with more questions than answers. Looping daily in my head…
Why are my clothes shrinking?…as I stuff the straw back into my ever tightening waistband, thankful that spandex is now an acceptable Scarecrow fabric. Now… if I only had a brain!
How can my joints suddenly ache so much?…as I squeak and pop into the day, thankful for my ibuprofen oil can to lubricate my Tin Man joints. Now… if I only had a heart!
Where and when did I lose my fearless internal compass and thirst for adventure?…as I cower and chew, thankful for my Lion’s tail to quell my fears for future generations. Now…if I only had courage!
OH MY!
Do I go with the Wicked Witch of the East or her sister to the West…Medicare Advantage or Standard Medicare with Gap? Do I buy more insurance from one of those pushy fly-by-night monkeys? “ You never know when your house may land on someone, ma’am!” Do I allow myself to be lulled to a deep sleep of denial by the fragrant red fields of poppies or do I stay” woke”? Do I take dance lessons from the LolliPop kids or learn a new language? Who knew Babel offers Munchkinese? Do I join the Great Oz in his hot air balloon as he takes me somewhere over the rainbow? Do I splurge on that African safari I’ve always dreamt about, perhaps photograph a horse-of-a-different color? Or do I stretch my retirement pennies and have a staycation…they say, there’s no place like home?
So, as I muster up the courage to pull back that curtain and reveal my true self, I suddenly realize that I don’t need the Great Oz to give me a brain or a heart or courage. I’ve always had these deep within myself but somehow have forgotten that…I am the Queen of the Forest, damn it! And yes, it’s my party and I’ll click my heels if I want to…three times!
So, I’m locking arms tightly with my dear travel partners as we skip towards the Emerald City and sing.
“We’re off to see the wizard. The wonderful wizard of Oz. Because, because, because, because, because…Because of the wonderful things he does!”
Now go do wonderful things!
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