joyful2beeblogs

I will be 74 years old this summer and almost 6 years away from being 80. I am told that I don’t look my age; they don’t all know that I had a hip replacement, get stiff in my back from scoliosis, and have a few bulging discs. But they can see my facial wrinkles and crepey skin, too. In spite of my physical changes, my mind is working pretty well (considering how full my brain is after all the years I studied in school, nursing school, learned how to repair a few things around the condo, so many names of so many people to remember from all the years I have been alive). Then there are all of the memories packed away in webbed places in the back of all the other memories.

There were painful times in my life with my husband; he passed in 2009. But everything that has happened in the past, after experiencing sadness, fear, joy, love, excitement and happiness, has made me a very happy, content woman now. I love the family I grew up with and love the people in my condominium.They are all, believe it or not, kind, nice, friendly, and just plain good people.

My sons are married to wonderful women. One son and his wife have a golden retriever and one son and his wife have three children under 9 years of age. I have two very dear friends and stay in touch with my sisters and brother and his wife. I have a black cat, who is a lot of fun and very interesting.

I still understand that my life’s ending is less far away now than it was once. But I choose to find joy in each day with love of life, people, nature, and the wonders of the world. I love my sons and their families. Thankful for their love for me and seeing my grandchildren growing up. I am thankful that my new hip is serving me well and I am healing nicely from the surgery.

I am so thankful for my upbringing in a home filled with love and two absolutely wonderful parents. We traveled together in a travel trailer first, them a motor home. We traveled to Montreal in 1967 for the World’s Fair. Daddy drove us to Mexico in a travel trailer so we could learn about other cultures. He wanted us to see the country he drove a bus full of retired teachers to when I was about four or five. Our parents wanted us kids to see and know about other cultures, people, lands, and languages, and saw and experienced so many wonderful times together.

Our mother played the piano and we sang around her while Daddy sat in his recliner, enjoying seeing his family singing together. Daddy said he was so happy when we all sat on the church pew on Sundays. He loved Moma and us kids and reared us with a loving, but firm hand. We had such a wonderful family life together.

I live with my cat and am surrounded by wonderful, kind, loving neighbors. My little world is a pretty safe place. I can see my car parked safely in view. My building has a keyed entrance so less likely hood of break-ins. I have a nice screened in porch for my cat’s pleasure of thinking of herself as an outdoor cat. I enjoy sitting out there too when it’s not too hot or too cold.

I am thankful for my life, the good, the bad and the ugly. Things came together well to give me so much to be thankful for. I am so thankful and love my life.