A Woman Should Have

I just re-discovered this advice in a buried folder.  Penned by Maya Angelou, enjoy!

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move
out and get a place of her own,

even if she never wants to or needs to....

something perfect to wear if the employer,

or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...

a youth she's content to leave behind....

a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to

retelling it in her old age....

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 WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...

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 WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...

a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job,

break up with a lover,

and confront a friend without

ruining the friendship....

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

that she can't change the length of her calves, 

the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents... 

that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more... 

how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it... 

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

whom she can trust, 

whom she can't, 

and why she shouldn't take it personally... 

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 

where to go... 

be it to her best friend's kitchen table... 

or a charming Inn in the woods... 

when her soul needs soothing... 

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 

What she can and can't accomplish in a day... 

a month...and a year... 

 REMEMBER: 

GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE STARS. 

YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE THEM, 

BUT YOU ALWAYS KNOW THEY ARE THERE!  

(P.S.:  I'm missing a couple things, including the black lace bra.  However, I'll substitute a pair of Mom's bug-eye glasses to re-lens and have fun!)