Before I started the blog side of this project I struggled with how I could write about Ms.D without revealing her real name. Clearly the way to go was to make up a name. But it couldn't be Betty or Jasmine or Diane. It had to be something meaningful.

Ms.Direction refers to a time when she got lost - and I don't mean this in a figurative sense, she was actually lost. Ms.D is a runner (this is not a full-time occupation, it is what she does when she's not working), and it was during a run that she took a wrong turn. There is a deeper story here, but I will say that she got lost through no fault of her own. I hope she doesn't mind my saying this, but she felt pretty stupid getting lost (don't we all?) and beat herself up over it for awhile.

I don't think she does anymore - beat herself up that is - I think she's able to see it for what it was. When she first told me that story it really stuck. I couldn't shake it. I think of her and I see a compass. She lost her way and found it again. Metaphorically, she has path that she has defined for herself. And it's a good one. She has direction. We all need direction. I think it's too easy a thing to forget.

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