Hey Carolyn,

I am writing from work and likely to be unable to finish this but your article is wonderful and fully espresses something I have been thinking about for the past ten years - but not in the context of being in my 20s, alas, I totally lacked the courage, understanding and confidence to strike out during those years but things have changed since then.   Being divorced, older, wanting male companionship but totally uninterested in a close relationship or marraige that confuses property with related-ness and actually spending more than half my social time with men who, as unlikelly as it may seem in my age group, have become long term and very dear friends whose opinion and perspective I respect.  It has felt like a similar odyssy for merely the reason of not following the traditonal roles - in really any way at all (note: carpenter and contractor as a career choice is not all that traditional for a woman either)  Living slightly outside the traditional roles has been the source for most of my best choices, too.  I supose I could be the target for criticism for never having grown up.  Dang. What a shame.  Seems to me I have avoided doing that for most of my life but I still ended up with a house and a kid (wonderful kid who is leaving for New Zealand next month)  I wish I could get up every day and conceive my life as an odyssey but time has dug a rut for me.  (I tried to convince Corwin that he should make a loop through Russia and Bulgaria and sleep on his cousin's sofas but he was determined to go to New Zealand.)

So I heartily congratulate you for your willingness and ability to try on life for exactly what it is worth.  As far as the envious and negative speculations by David Brooks, it remains unclear to me which of us so called adults really is clearly directed.  Regarding life's business as an odyssey is much more appealing to anyone with a heart and soul than living according to some imaginary paradigm imposed from somewhere else in the universe.  I see your odyssey as a wonderful contribution to the global good will bucket and therefore much more valuable than the average adult paradigm.  No wonder you are having a wonderful year, all this comes straight from your heart.

And by the way I have been reading and enjoying your blog very very much.

Happy Christmas, too!

Sharon