I am 46 years old.  My two sons are grown.  I have a very short window before (hopefully) these wonderful young men who call me Mom, will make me a "Grandma".  So I decided if I was going to do this, apply for the Peace Corps, now is the time.  I need to do it now, because once I have grandchildren, I will be "that" Grandma--the one who will lay in the yard and watch ladybugs with them for hours, the one who teaches them the joy of splashing in puddles, fingerpainting, swimming and hiking, and the one, hopefully, who they will come to with their problems.  I had that kind of Grandma who gave her time and love, and I will be one too.  So for now, it is time to play!

I grew up with a mom whose only regret was that she didn't join the Peace Corps.  I remember watching a TV show in the early 70's about a Peace Corps volunteer and I remember thinking, "I want to do that".  She was young, had long blonde hair, and had a marvelous adventure as I remember, and during high school, I read a couple of books written by returned Peace Corps volunteers.  I am definitely not her, that young girl in the TV show--but I hope for an adventure none-the-less.

I have reached the final stages.  Six months ago I sat at my computer and completed the online application.  I went through my interview three months ago, and now, I sit, with my medical review forms strewn all across my dining room table, carefully reviewing them before submission making sure all the "I"s are dotted, etc.  This has been a huge process.........

I guess if you are the "average" PC volunteer and you are 23 years old, your medical review is probably painless.  You haven't had time, really, to have too many health issues.  Me, on the other hand------

I'm a cancer survivor.  I donated a kidney.  I have gone to therapy during moments of transition in my life.  The paperwork for these things, in addition to the regular health stuff, has been almost overwhelming.  I had a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy due to cancer.  But I was ordered to have a pap smear and a mammogram.  Really?  Got no mams to gram and no paps to smear.  Wow.

I am almost finished.  I still have to find a doctor to give me a polio vaccine------didn't think this would be an issue but no one I've approached yet will give one to an adult.  Volunteering is way more expensive than I thought it would be.

BUT--when I think about being in Asia, working with teachers, working with kids, exploring the culture and the country-----I get a great big grin on my face and I know I'm on the right track.  I know this is what I'm meant to do now.  I tried a few years ago but hadn't been cancer free long enough.  Now----there is nothing holding me back.

I have decisions to make but I am trusting the universe to point me in the right direction.  Sell my house or rent?  Sell my stuff or store?  These are things I'll have to deal with in the upcoming months.  But right now, I'm focusing on finishing this last step without pulling my hair out.  Once I submit my paperwork, the waiting game begins.  I've been warned.  I wait.  I don't hear anything.  Until I get the official "invitation".  I will be mailing everything next week.  Let the waiting begin.