I am a woman who moved to the country and built my own home with my husband, and our own four hands, and have never missed city life for a minute. The stress level here is so much less than when we were city dwellers, and often my only thought is that I feel guilty for not doing more, while all my friends are running in circles trying to meet deadlines and chauffeur their children from one activity to another.

I often wonder how far out of synch with what is peaceful we are going to go before everything is completely lost to us. It is ironic, and I have always felt so, that men and women both spend more of their waking hours at work then they spend in the magnificent homes they are working to own.

Children are being sent off to babysitters and day care centers instead of being raised by their parents, who are of course sacrificing a lot to earn the money to pay for everything… and it has unfortunately become a necessity, rather than a want.

I wish everyone could see life backwards just for an hour, to see what I can now see so clearly. Live life more simply, eliminate clutter, raise your children well. In the end, it is all that matters.