Every Woman ....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,

even if she never wants to or needs to



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
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 WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
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



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
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



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
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

~ Maya Angelou

Those are some mighty fine words of wisdom ... whether you're a woman or not.
With all due to respect to Ms. Angelou, I do think she may have forgotten one little
item from her extensive and impressive list of "how-to's".

So, here's what I would add:

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ...
how to "make-do" with whatever is available,
be mindful of the environment,
and ALWAYS be 'flexible'