We Don't Know What We've Been Missing Until It Arrives

Author: Jackie Vogen
November 2006

As I'm approaching age 50, I've finally discovered my passion in life. I LOVE TO FISH! I guess you could say that I've always had a genetic urge to fish. As a child growing up, I always had a strong desire to fish, but was never given an opportunity to go, as only my four brothers were allowed; you know the old cliché, "Girls can't fish!" I always enjoyed hearing about my brother's stories, but I never realized what I was missing out on. However, I hoped that someday I would pick up the sport.

As I went through life, getting married and taking care of a family, I had forgotten about my goal of fishing. My husband would fish here and there with friends, but it didn't dawn on me to try my hand at it. I didn't realize what I was missing out on! I've always felt that people come into our lives for a reason. This person came into my life in 2004 and we became friends. My new friend's love for fishing inspired and motivated me to do something I hadn't thought about in years. I realized as I had gotten older and my interests had changed, that fishing was something I had come to enjoy. My childhood thoughts of fishing were rekindled again and now "I'm hooked!" So here I am, approaching 50 years old - I've arrived!

I am what you would call a "beginner fisherwoman" or a "novice". I discovered my passion for fishing in April 2005. My dreams have been rediscovered and I'm creating a new world for myself. As a beginner, I've been confronted with many obstacles and challenges to meet. The first hurdle was to understand my limitations. I've discovered there aren't any limitations in what you can do, except the limitations you have in your own mind. Sure, frustration sets in and I've made many mistakes, but I've realized my mistakes are the stepping stones to my success.

I will be sharing my learning experiences with you by contributing an occasional story. I hope you'll find my fishing experiences to be humorous, as well as informative. If you can take just one of my own personal experiences, and apply it to your own situation, then you're on your way. So take a chance today and try something new. You're never too old to start fishing and you may discover that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

I Love what I'm learning and I'm learning what I love to do. I LOVE TO FISH!

 - Jackie Vogen

My name is Jackie Vogen "aka Redrose4u2" and I'm 50 years old. I live in New Lenox, Illinois. I've been married to my husband and best friend, Ken, for 31 years. We've raised two beautiful daughters, who are now grown up, and have left home. We've recently entered into a new stage in our life; we've become "empty nesters". This new independence has allowed me to discover my passion in life; I LOVE TO FISH! I'm what you would call a "Beginner Fisherwoman" or a "Novice". Besides fishing, I enjoy computers, gardening and photography. Through fishing and photography, I've been able to capture my thoughts, while surrounded in the beauty of the sport. I'm looking forward to sharing my passion with you!

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