...one old love she can imagine
going back to
...and one who reminds her
how far she has come...

...enough money within her control
 to move out and rent
a place of her own...
even if she never wants to
and needs to...

...something perfect to wear
if the employer
or 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...

...the realization that she is actually going
to have an old age and
some money set aside to fund it...

...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 resume that is not even
the slightest bit padded...

...a feeling of control over her destiny...

...a skin care regimen,
an exercise routine,
and a plan for dealing with...
a solid start on a satisfying career,
a satisfying relationship,
and all those other facets of life
that do get better after 30...

~By Pamela Redmond Satran~
This piece originally ran in Glamour magazine in May 1997.
Her new book, "The Man I Should Have Married"
was published by Pocket Books in  March 2003.