No monkeys yet I’m afraid. I’ve got both the kids off school today with sore throats and raging temperatures – it’ll be a day of calpol, dvds and lolling in PJs. As I lay listening to them breathing last night (it was a 3-in-the-bed night) I began to wonder what my life would have been like if I’d followed my childhood dream and become a vet. Would I be roaming the Yorkshire Dales in my mud-splattered landrover, overseeing the birth of calves and the worming of sheep, a kind of female James Herriot? Would I have a sturdy, farmer husband with a check shirt and big weathered-but-gentle hands and 2 ruddy-faced kids with lambs for pets? I’ve always enjoyed the company of animals, adopting stray cats and puppies along the way, rescuing injured hedgehogs and birds (the picture is of Berry the Blackbird who we adopted and cared for this summer). But if I had gone down the path to becoming a vet I’d have never met my husband and soul mate or had these wonderful children.
Instead of Veterinary college I headed off to Art college where H & I met aged 18. I’d just left home, got a bedsit with my best friend Lynelle and embarked on my adult life. H tells me he fell in love with me at first sight (flattery does get him everywhere!) and by the end of the first month we were going out together. We didn’t realise at the time that it would grow into the love of a lifetime and that 15 years later, on the anniversary of our first date together, I’d be giving birth to our daughter.
I’m so glad that I didn’t become a vet. It’s interesting when you stop to think about how you came to where you are in life. Which decisions and choices set your feet on the path to arrive here and now. So here’s a thought for the weekend – What would you be doing now if you’d followed your childhood dream? What’s your story?
little cotton rabbits 
Julie I love your blogs so much that i have finally overcome my battle with IT to be able to actually log on and comment!!
Your blogs are always so inspiring and really bring a bit of sunshine on rainy days like this!!
I wanted to be so many things when I was young. Now that i am older and hopefully a bit wiser – the only thing I want is for me and my family to be happy and loved – oh god do i sound corny??
What i mean is I want a sense of inner peace and a balance in my life – I want to love my kids as much as I can – this does not always show!!
I am grateful to have a lovely husband and try not to take it for granted!! We have together acheived our dream of moving out to the countryside!!
Anyone who ever knew me would never have bet on me doing this or see me running my little stall which I love!!
thanks for making me think about what i have got!!
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If the truth be told I wanted to be Madonna … yikes what a scary thought that is now. It was all about the hair, the clothes, the music. I really wanted to be a hairdresser, but with one in the family already there was no room for another.
Like you, I am glad I didn’t take that path as I now know it would have led to a life of vanity, insecurity about body image and never feeling good about my self in a world that lives completely by the mirror image.
I’m glad I became a wife, mother, bank teller, crafter and of course computer nerd … definitely a life that’s wonderful.
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wow – what a story – I did this all the other way round – I did follow a dream and trained to be a midwife after the birth of my last child – but 14 years on – i really think it was the wrong decision – I have been thinking of this a lot lately – so your post got me all thoughtful – and it’s 1.25 am – I should stop being thoughtful and go to bed – but I love that it all worked out for you – you sound very contented – and that is wonderful!
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In my case, I am actually making my way back to my childhood dream. Well, maybe not a dream but I am getting back to doing what I loved doing as a child.
Julie, I not only enjoy your animals in their adorable outfits but also your writing. Thank you for sharing them.
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Oh I wanted to be a vet once but I did have enough sense to realise that I wouldn’t be detached enough.
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Lovely post. Ditto Carolyn re the detached thing. (Julie can you send me your e mail again re those monkeys? Many thanks.)
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when i was little i wanted to be a doctor when i grew up. when i was in my mid-twenties i felt trapped by having such a long term goal. i was basically stuck with going through it by debt and lack of other training, but now that i have come out of the other side i am glad that i ended up here.
i never imagined being a mother or a wife, but i that turned out being pretty awesome. it’s hard to know just WHAT you want when you are a kid.
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If I were to have done exactly what I wanted to do I would be living in the countryside with my soul mate and our children. We would be growing our own veg and striving for eco-conscious living. I would be doing my best to make a living from my art work….I didn’t aim for money, but for being happy, fed, comfortable, healthy and loved. Thats what I am doing. I’m so very lucky.
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What a wonderful website, you are so creative, i have trouble sewing the name tags into my daughters uniform. You truly have a creative gift.
How can i order some cakes, they would look wonderful on my cakestand i got from Oxfam.
Maria
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