I would like to share some information about my life—both as an individual and as a wife of 53 years with two grown children and three grandchildren.

While I've never kept a 'journal,' I did begin writing weekly articles a few years ago, focusing on various aspects of my life experiences. So I decided to share this collection of my 'musings on life' in book form to encourage others to think about some of these issues that we all share.

In 'introducing' myself to those of you who don't know me, I won't try to do a 'life story.' Instead I'd like to focus on the aspects of my life that are relevant to the purpose of this site.

For instance, one of the most important perspectives that I've gained in my 72 years is that you can never anticipate all the many different kinds of experiences you're likely to have throughout your life.

For instance, I was born and raised in a small town in Mississippi (population 5,000) and would never have imagined that I would wind up living in 15 different cities in 8 different states. But that's what happened.

I also would never have imagined all the different jobs I would have during my life. I've worked as a legal secretary, nanny, library worker, shuttle driver, bookstore clerk, reservationist, consultant to businesses, workshop facilitator, and writer. And I learned something important about myself from every one of them. (My best 'job' was the 8 years I spent as a stay-at-home mom to our two preschoolers.)

While I recognize that almost everyone faces serious challenges at some point in their lives, I could not have envisioned the particular ones I would face. But I grew from every experience, using the perspective I gained to become smarter and stronger—as well as becoming more compassionate toward others.

All my experiences (the good, the bad, and the ugly) have helped me feel connected to others and increased my concern about the general well-being of everyone. So in my 'musings' I go far beyond focusing on my own experiences to include focusing on the larger issues that affect us all.

I don't have any illusions that I have now arrived at some special place of perspective on life, but I do feel that I can continue to expand my own understandings by encouraging others to participate in exploring how we're all connected through our common experiences.

Finally, I also don't think that age alone is any guarantee of having special insights. For instance, I dedicated 'musings on life' to my three granddaughters who teach me a lot about love and curiosity and optimism and beauty—qualities that are greatly needed by all of us as we continue to find our way through life.