The other day someone remarked to a friend of mine that she’s been reading my blog— and although she doesn’t know me, she has a sense that my life falls into two distinct phases: before and after cancer.
I never thought about this. But it makes sense—that we have pivot points —both good and bad ones—that bisect our lives. Milestones— like meeting a soulmate….death of a parent…. overcoming addiction…. a natural disaster……a financial windfall….. huge events that can spin your life around in a totally different direction. I wonder whether other people see these clear divides in their lives.
For me, it seemed to fit perfectly: B.C.=Before Cancer.
But then I thought more about my own personal history. And earth-shattering though it was, cancer isn’t the event that altered my life most profoundly and permanently. B.C. still works, though. Only it stands for : Before Children.
This is so true. Children, moving to a very different place, marriage or divorce, and certainly illness, are such markers in our lives, often leaving that “before/after” divide.
I’m glad “before children” is a bigger marker than “before cancer.”
Both profound experiences and certainly life changing.
Interesting.
I’d be curious to hear what other people would say about their lives. I think a lot depends on where you’re standing timewise when you’re looking at your life. Still I think for me, kids were the clear dividing line that changed everything.