Comment by HS MD on 16 Feb 2010 at 1:31 am

Karen,

Your answer about your hopes and dreams for your future weren’t exactly accurate. There is more to you. I know it. Everyone knows it. Now I’m telling you. There is no way you just want to travel and help others. No way. You are a writer. Admit it. You wrote your story. You didn’t claim it. You need to write a novel or a prequel or sequel or a fiction. You need to write something. Anything. I know it’s your dream. You can do it. Now describe your correct dream. The one you didn’t mention in your comment. Never short yourself, never allow someone to take credit for what is righfully yours. Write Karen, write. What do you really want to do with the rest of your days? What do you want to leave behind when you are gone? Describe your perfect place? Where would you like to be while living your dream? I am a psych. professor. Elaborate. Ending with…. you are highly intelligent. No one. I repeat. No one ever survived as much as you have. Don’t forget it.

HS MD

Kentucky

Dear Dr. HS,

Thank you sharing your concerns over my hopes and dreams. In part, you are correct. I do have much more to give, much more to learn, and desire much more than I will ever receive. But it’s hard to allow myself to dream ahead of myself. For me, it’s most important to have faith and believe in myself first. I am still learning about life and my wants and needs. I have always put everyone before myself. It’s hard for me to think of myself first. Why? Because I’m so grateful to be alive I feel like I want to save the world. Fantasy, of course! Sometimes I suffer from “compassion fatigue.” I do know who I am, and I’m trying to live my best life. I do enjoy writing and feel I’m a natural born writer. Thank you for recognizing that in me.

I have written much, hoping to someday write a sequel. There is much more to me than what is written in Switching Time. My dreams include writing a nonfiction book about being “One Marine’s Mom.” I also dream of traveling, something that I’ve always wanted to do but never could afford. I become sad when I hear of all the wonderful places around the world and without knowing if I’ll ever experience such beauty. I admit, I’ve also thought of visiting countries that may need my services to make a difference. All I know is that my spirit is restless and needs to work hard, each and every day, to accomplish living. My dream also includes being peaceful and calm.

Dr. Baer wrote Switching Time, not me.  I read his early drafts to make sure all the facts were correct and made suggestions to him.  The parts I wrote are indicated by being “quoted.”  But thank you for your compliments!

You ask to describe my perfect place? I would love to live in a small cottage among many trees, overlooking a lake, where I can write day and night and enjoy nature. I am not one for expensive wine and dine places. Comforting cafes and coffee shops are more like me. I need to be surrounded by nature’s beauty and not harsh cold impersonal buildings with no personality. That’s who I am. I would like to leave behind my memoirs showing that no matter how difficult life can be, one can find love. I would like for all to know that I am not gone, but can be seen in every smile I encouraged, in every kind thought and act of kindness I shared.

Thank you for your thought provoking questions and for encouraging me to write. I truly appreciate each thought. I am a survivor. I’ll never forget that.

Karen