Hi birdcrazy,

I do really know where you are coming from. It's interesting, I myself am struggling with the same type of issues. And yet I feel compelled to tell you to keep moving forward toward this dream, though it is so hard for me to tell myself that. I also suffer from mental health issues (depression) that got worse when I hit my 30's. I also long to work in a science-related field. Things can seem so overwhelming at times. And so it is the old question of... is it worth it? In fact, I have been heartened by your post... to know there is someone out there who feels somewhat the way that I do... You mentioned that you have physical weakness and believe you would be too slow doing field work. However, I think that if you did find your way into doing lab work, I bet there would be some opportunities for you to get out to the field. Not every field job requires physical stregth... many simply require driving, keeping supplies organized, taking notes, recording data etc. It is often so hard for me to feel like I am entitled to follow what I enjoy. But it is much easier for me to see it in your post... that you should follow what you enjoy. We only live once. Isn't it better to work slowly toward our dreams then to wake up one day in 20 or 30 years and have to ask... "what if?"

E