Donnalee Fisher

I turned 49 in December 2006. Former unwed mom with only one year of college who became newspaper reporter and active freelance writer. Lived in Alaska for 17 years. Nearly lost teenage daughter to a rare neurological illness that continues to affect her life. Filed for divorce in midlife and went broke supporting myself and disabled daughter while being treated for depression and an anxiety disorder. Cobbled together a living first from six months of temporary support, then through freelance writing, managing an apartment building, babysitting, handyma'am chores, mystery shopping and paid medical research. Since life was so topsy-turvy I decided to throw college into the mix, after 30 years away from higher education; I finished my two-year degree in December 2006, and won a full-ride scholarship to the University of Washington for the next two to three years after that, depending on how long it takes me to finish. Divorce is finally over, thank God, and I got a bunch of art and collectibles that may or may not be saleable plus a small amount of alimony that will see me through college if I keep the apartment-management job (a godsend, even though I have to clean the building and unclog other people's toilets -- it's free rent!), continue to look for freelance writing, never buy anything new or unnecessary, find yet more ways to cook dried beans, eschew paid entertainment and stand in line at the food bank. To make a short story long -- a skill that comes in handy in college -- I have never been more broke, more exhausted and more uncertain about the future, but I've never been happier. Or more grateful for the things that matter. Some people feel sorry for me because of what they consider my straitened circumstances. But I have a roof over my head, something to eat three times a day, family and friends, and the chance to get an education. Yes, it tires me out and tries my patience and I wish I had more money to help my daughter. But millions of people would *love* to have my "problems." I'm lucky because I *know* I'm lucky.