If only it was that easy…When I was 22, like most people, I had no idea what sort of job(s) I’d end up doing during my lifetime.  I started out as a legal secretary (I was so not cut out for following orders all day), taught high school, then shorthand (does that even exist anymore?) at Acadia, became a mom, designed and made toddlers’ clothing for 15 years, did some substitute teaching, and finally, I’m a writer. Which, next to being a mother, is the job I love best. But it took me 30 years to get from new university graduate to here.

Son Liam’s among the many new grads currently roaming the streets of Toronto in pursuit of a career. I’ll be sitting proudly in the audience next week, wiping away a tear or two, as he receives his Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in Accounting from Queen’s University (GPA 3.8, if I’m allowed to brag – since this is my blog, I guess I can:) The job market’s tough – accounting ads calling for fewer than 3-5 years of experience are non-existent, but I know somebody will eventually give him a chance, and his working life will begin. What I hope, is that he finds something early on about which he’s passionate (and that pays well!) My father spent 25 years doing a job he hated, but he had a family to support, and in his day, people stuck with the same job for most of their working lives. Husband Don retires from Horton High at the end of June, after a 32-year teaching career, most of which he’s enjoyed (okay – not 100% of the time). So it’s a time of new beginnings for our family.

In today’s world, young people are probably looking at having at least a handful of different jobs before retirement. One advantage of getting older, is that you gradually come to realize that things most often work out as they should…and that patience is a great virtue. Once again, I give the last word to Dr. Seuss: