Maya Angelou's Best Poem Ever

My niece Amy sent this to me, and I love it. I guess I'm pretty fortunate because I have all those things, and I know all those things.

MAYA ANGELOU'S' BEST POEM EVER Maya Angelou, for Random House

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... (This is why I felt the need to have a college education.)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE Something perfect to wear if the employer, Or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour... (The perfect black dress...)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE A youth she's content to leave behind.... (It was fun, but...)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE A past juicy enough that she's looking forward to Retelling it in her old age.... (I'm not old enough to share it yet.)

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

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE . One friend who always makes her laugh... And one who lets her cry... (Mom, Susan, Connie, Dolly, Karen, Amanda, Misty--oh, it says ONE)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family.. (My china cabinet is antique, but no one in my family previously owned it, so that counts.)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, And a recipe for a meal, That will make her guests feel honored... (Check, check, check)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... A feeling of control over her destiny... (I am in control of my life!)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... How to fall in love without losing herself.. (I'm crazy in love with my husband, but I am still my own person!!)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... How to quit a job, Break up with a lover, And confront a friend without Ruining the friendship.... (Done all three.)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... When to try harder... And WHEN TO WALK AWAY.. (I'm learning 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... (Wouldn't change any of it. Well, maybe the width of my hips. lol)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... That her childhood may not have been perfect..but it's over... (Certainly not a perfect childhood, but I have such wonderful memories!)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. What she would and wouldn't do for love. . . (I would walk through Hell for those I love.)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. How to live alone even if she doesn't like it... (Been there, done that)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. Whom she can trust, Whom she can't, And why she shouldn't take it personally... (So true...)

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.. (Gosh, I AM lucky! I can think of so many places I can go.)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... What she can and can't accomplish in a day... A month...and a year... (And in a lifetime...)