A Rich and Good Life

Posted on by Joyful2bee

I grew up in a loving family and traveled with them to Mexico, Canada, and various other places of interest. I traveled to Germany once with my husband and first son and a second time with just my first son to visit my sister-in-law’s family. Since my husband’s death I traveled with my friend D to Busch Gardens twice: Boulder, CO; Twin Falls, Idaho, and O’Fallon to visit my sisters and their families.

I had to leave nursing about 2011 due to sciatica and bulging discs in my back. The doctor said not to lift over 20 pounds. That precluded my working in a hospital. I was on disability insurance for two years with no hope of being a nurse again. But I found other things to do.

I volunteered at the local chamber of commerce and started a photography business. I bought a new camera with a good lens, took two or three classes on photography and Word Press. I was hired soon after as a photojournalist for the small town newspaper, The Independent; and became friends with the editor.

I loved the rustic and quaintness of the town so I took lots of photos around it. A large advertising company for two years, rented twenty-one of my photos of this town to use as advertisement for a new development up the road. I earned $2000 over two years!

The disability insurance ran out and I was not placed on disability because the judge said, if I could do all of the above, I should be able to work. Well, I could but I couldn’t sit for long periods of time, I couldn’t lift over 20 pounds, and I couldn’t spend a lot of time on my feet. So I retired early and with my retirement and other funds, I retired to a good life. I have what I need and just enough more to take care of whatever pops up.

I have two sons, two daughters (in-law), three adorable grandchildren and one golden retriever grand dog and my own sweet Norie. Life is good. My neighbors are the best. My health is good and my back problems have subsided enough to where I rarely have any issues. I am thankful for my life, my family, my friends, my neighbors, and all the blessings of my life.

12 thoughts on “A Rich and Good Life”

    1. Friday was my birthday, Beth. Thank you for such kind words. I guess I owe my attitude to my parents who loved my 3 siblings who all became kind loving people too. They taught us so much from their own experiences.

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  3. Very blessed indeed. Since my husbands death, my health has been in decline. Photography was a hobby I loved, but losing sight in my right eye has taken that away..though I can still ‘shoot’ with my phone camera and for that I am grateful. 🙏

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    1. Thank you. So sorry your husband isn’t doing well. Aging can be difficult and cause a lot of changes in us and our bodies. I’m sorry you had to decrease your photography. Sometimes we have to “go with the flow and do the best we can with what we have. I hope things brighten up for you.

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