Debra Zemke:  

1956 IT WAS A GOOD YEAR!! The imagination generation--that's what we are! We've had the advantages, through these years, of using our imaginations to create opportunities, successes and sometimes failures with our lives. What a ride, eh? I truly feel sorry for the kids born from the 80's to the present. Why? Because things had already changed so much, 'progress' and technology removed the need for children to "go outside and play!" You and I, born prior to the video game era, know that phrase well--am I right? The words still ring in my ears :o) I tried to instill in my two kids the use of their imagination, because I'm convinced it gives adults a brighter outlook on everything in life. We can see possibilities! We are able to envision making things appear that are just that, a vision. I have very few regrets, the biggest one being the fact that I didn't connect with people while I was going through high school. I had to grow up too fast. I started working in an office when I was only 14, and continued working, usually at two jobs as well as finishing school. So, I didn't try to make friends in school... I was "too busy for all that." The positive side of that is the work ethic I developed! Work ethic is something that is a bit scarce in this day & age. I'm afraid young people today have a hard time figuring out what to do with their lives, because they seem to think they really shouldn't have to work to have things they want. They don't learn to use their imaginations to make things work. Not all, don't get me wrong... I realize there are many young people who are achieving their goals & dreams at amazingly young ages! My hat's off to them!! For instance, I work in Medical Administration, and it floors me to see how many RN's there are now who are 24 & under! What an accomplishment for those young lives! I know several young people who have their Masters Degree by the age of 24! These are young leaders! Which brings me to my 2nd HUGE regret! I was sick & tired of being forced to go to school every day, so after I enrolled in college in the Fall after I graduated, I quit after a short time. Decided I would rather work fulltime, get married and have children. I wish to God I had seen the future, and would've realized the potential gains if I had just stayed in college. I was learning all about this new technology being developed by a guy named Bill Gates & another named Steve Jobs. Hmmmmmm.... It'll probably go nowhere--- BIG MISTAKE! I dumped that, biggest mistake I ever made! Any of you make the same mistake? I have two beautiful, wonderful, grown, successful adults to show for it, but I sure wish I'd seen the potential for my own life--had I stayed in the middle of the developing years of the PC. As I said in the beginning... it's been quite a ride! I have been fortunate ...Expand for more