Remaking

I think most bloggers live for (write for) comments. So, speaking of, Anon Y. Mous said,

"We have little control over the randomness which has shaped us until we reach alleged adulthood, but then we can work on a second self: how do do we want to be, feel, think, imagine, become?"

Now clearly we can work on a second self. My question is: how far can we get? How much can we overcome our genetic- and early-experience-shaped destiny? (You can see something of my opinion there.) Sometimes I feel as though I am pretty far down the road. I even get a little smug: let those snarky high school girls see me now! But then, I get what feels like a big smack down. The great depression of 08, my personal one, for example.

And my husband: it is increasingly clear to me that I married him in some good part because of what he has in common with my maternal grandfather. "PaPa" died when I was 5 or 6.

I have hauled myself around the world, given myself the broadest range of experiences I could manage, and accomplished a fair amount professionally. But what do I really want to do? Hide under the covers and read, as when I was 7.

What about you? How much have you remade yourself? Or were you even trying? Maybe you were/are embracing your childhood self?