Long ago in the far reaches of youth, I had a dream. I wanted to have an apartment, a space of my own. A breathing space between father’s house and husband’s house, a place that will be wholly my own. Where I could collect things I valued, decorate to my liking, where I would invite my friends and would grow plants in my balcony. It was a statement of independence. Life turned out to be extremely generous. Much more than a mere statement of independence, I have true independence. Of course, I realized that decorating is much too much work, that I have no aptitude to be a gardener, that balconies do not come standard, specially in cold climes and that I like to have the place to myself than always filled with friends. Being single meant, I could chose to work anywhere, which I did. I could decide to travel anywhere, with anyone, which I did. And most precious of all, I could spend long hours just staring into space, reading, learning to paint, appreciating art and music and what th...