A Woman Should Have...

My dear friend, Mary Beth, forwarded a copy of this to some of us today. If you are like me, as the new year approaches, you will purpose to accomplish at least one of the things you find meaningful on this list. And then perhaps another, and another.

A Woman Should Have
A woman should have...
Enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...
Something perfect to wear if the employer or the date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour.
A youth she's content to leave behind.
A past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.
A woman should have...
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 woman should have
A feeling of control over her destiny.
Every woman should know...
How to fall in love without losing herself.
How to quit a job, break up with a lover,
And confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
Every woman should know
When to try harder, and when to walk away.
Every woman should know
That she can't change the length of her calves,
The width of her hips,
Or the nature of her parents.
Every woman should know
That her childhood may not have been perfect,
But it's over.
Every woman should know
What she would and wouldn't do for love
How to live alone, even if she doesn't like it.
Every woman should know
Whom she can trust, whom she can't,
And why she shouldn't take it personally.
Every woman should know
Where to go
Be it to her best friend's kitchen table
Or a charming inn in the woods
When her soul needs soothing.
Every woman should know
What she can and can't accomplish
In a day, a month, and a year.

(Often attributed to Maya Angelou, but according to Snopes.com. this was actually written by Pamela Redmond Satran.)