joyful2beeblogs

I will be 75 years old this summer and almost 5 years away from being 80. I am told that I don’t look my age; some people don’t know that I had back problems after nursing for thirty-seven years, get stiffness in my back from scoliosis, and have a few bulging discs. My facial wrinkles and greying hair are outdone by my enjoyment of life, my families, nature, friends and love for the people around me.

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 my home, and so many names of so many people to remember from all the years I have been alive).

There were painful times in my life from my husband’s mini-strokes; he passed away in 2009. Since my husband’s death, there has been a progression of joy, self-confidence, learning to love and appreciate myself and having wonderful grown sons and their families, who love me, as I love them and their families.

I am a very happy, content woman now. I love the family I grew up with (and the one that was partly created by me). I loved the people in my condominium and now in this senior living home. Most of the neighbors that I know are kind, nice, friendly, and just good people.

My sons are married to wonderful women. The first son and his wife have a golden retriever and live fifty minutes to the west of me. My second son and his wife have three children under 9 years of age and live an hour and a half to the east of me. I have two very dear friends and stay in touch with my sisters and brother and his wife. I had a black cat, who was a lot of fun and very interesting. Sadly, she had to be euthanized last December. 

I still understand that my life’s ending is less far away now, than it once was. 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 every day for living a good life. I am most thankful for a loving God.

I am so thankful for my upbringing in a home filled with love and two absolutely wonderful parents. My siblings are two sisters two years younger and twelve years younger and a wonderful brother who is six years younger. As kids, our parents took us on trips in a travel trailer first, then later 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 that 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 that he was so happy when we all sat on the church pew on Sundays with him. 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 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.

I am thank God 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 to God and my parents. I love my life.