...

one old love she can imagine going back to
and one who reminds her how far she has come...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants or needs to...

something perfect to wear if the employer
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

a youth she's content to leave behind
and past juicy enough
that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age...

the realization that she is
going to have an old age
and some money set aside to fund it...

a set of screwdrivers,
a cordless drill
and a black lace bra...

one friend who always makes her laugh
and one who lets her cry...

a good piece of furniture
not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems
and a recipe for a meal
that will make her guests feel honored...

a resume that is not even the slightest bit padded...

a feeling of control over her destiny...

a skin care regimen,
an exercise routine
and a plan for dealing with those
few other facets of life that
don't get better after 30

a solid start on a satisfying career,
a satisfying relationship
and all those other facets of life
that do get better after 30...

...

how to fall in love without losing herself...

how she feels about having kids...

how to quit a job,
break up with a lover
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...

when to try harder
and when to walk away...

how to have a good time at a party
she'd never choose to attend...

how to ask for what she wants
in a way that makes it most likely she'll get it...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips
or the nature of her parents...

that her childhood may not have been perfect
but its over...

what she would and wouldn't do for love ...

how to live alone
even if she doesn't like it...

whom she can trust,
whom she can't
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

where to go,
be it to her best friend's kitchen table
or a charming inn in the woods...

when her soul needs soothing...

what she can and can't accomplish
in a day,
a month
and a year

JUNE 20,2000