First was my mother at her and my dad's 50th wedding anniversary. All of these women from the old neighborhood sitting around a table sharing photos of grand children, laughing, talking, and generally having the time of their life. I should mention that all of these women, “threw their lives away” according to the feminist by staying at home and being full time mothers.
The second was being almost run into a guard rail at 60 miles an hour by a mini-van. The lady in the front seat was leaning over to see the rear-view mirror so she could put on her makeup. In doing so she drifted left into my lane. As I frantically tried to get her attention I noticed a small boy strapped into a car seat in the back seat. Next to him was a pet carrier. I'm sure that was a list somewhere that said “daycare, vet, work” and probably a few other items.
When I got her attention, she shrugged her shoulders and gave me a “sorry” expression. I sped up to get some distance and in the rear view mirror I could see her leaning over again.
Somehow I doubt there is a day in her future when she and life long friends will joyously reminisce about kids, family, and good old times. But, she is, "having it all."
This is beautiful. I hope you have a blog somewhere in which you can preserve this writing. The juxtaposition is on target.