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All around the world, in every culture and walk of life, people are tasked with making decisions both big and small. These decisions ultimately shape all of us into who we become, but what about the paths untraveled? In this memoir, the author recounts her life's journey, from a difficult and tumultuous early childhood to a long and happy marriage. Along the way are rural farm adventures, a stint running for local political office, coping with seasonal affective disorder, and plenty of bumps in the road, laughs, and unexpected surprises. Still, in reflecting on her past, the author looks at all of those small memories or pivotal moments and asks the same question: what if things had turned out differently for her?
This autobiographical elements of Kay's story contain enough fascination and emotional pull to make the book work as a simple memoir. For example, the author’s personal struggles with her parents or adaptation to each job or role she took on are compelling in a way that keeps the reader eager to go for one or two more chapters than expected each session. Photographs and scanned documents also help provide visual and historical context that brings each memory to life. However, the conceit of this book is the ever-present question of wondering how things might have gone. This serves as a fascinating cornerstone within the narrative. Most chapters end with the author thinking on the page about how her life may have drastically changed if each decision made either by or for her had gone the other way. Taking the normal memoir formula and adding a speculative element not only enhances her own story but will potentially give readers cause to stop and do the same for their own journeys as well.