joyful2beeblogs

Recently, I realized that I have been blogging for thirteen years! Wow! I’ve met so many people here, shared my blogs, and read so many blogs by others.

Writing blog posts has helped me to express things from my heart and mind. I want my blog posts to help others and help them fulfill their goals. Just like my blogs, I want to share good things with others, to help lift the loads they may carry; help them know that there are others, just like them, going through the same problems. I want others to know that there are many people who care about these people, who are suffering from loneliness, poor health, poverty, grief from losses of many kinds, hopelessness, and some just surrendering to their problems, instead of getting or trying to get help for their lives.

Over these thirteen years, I discovered a lot about life. I found out that a large number of people from various continents and countries are reading my blogs and commenting. My words have actually comforted a few, helped a few, encouraged a few, suggested ways to connect with our world, its beauty, nature, weather, and even suggested some ways to help others deal with the challenges that the world throws at them sometimes.

Me about 15 years ago

There is one challenge that we all face during our lives. That is aging. When I look back on my photos I see the changes in my face from childhood to young adulthood and now into my older years, past 70. I am not afraid of dying, since I know where I am going. But I do want to continue my mission of trying to make a difference in the world; to help lift up the mood or spirits of people by sharing the beauty in nature that I have captured in my photos. The joy or hope or happiness in people’s and children’s faces were also shared through photographs on my camera or phone and my blogs.

I see and hear and notice cloud formations, colors, meanings for weather, as well as the changing of the seasons and the weather that goes with them.

I actually look forward to the arrival of each season for the different ways I can enjoy them. By the end of summer, I am looking forward to changing my wardrobe from the hot weather clothes to the fall weather clothes and on and on with each season. In a way, I am kind of like a tree but in reverse. In fall when the trees lose their leaves, I am getting the cold weather clothes out; In spring when the leaves are coming in on the trees, I am putting away my cold weather clothes and bringing out my hot weather clothes.

I am thankful for the seasons because they have such delightful changes and yes, even challenges. But the environment never stays the same for long, so we are less likely in many parts of the United States to get bored with weather for too long. Everything changes from one part of the year, season or holiday to add to our lives an excitement of what’s coming next.

Since I am seventy-four years of age, I find myself evolving into an older and older woman. I still love my life, my family, friends, home, neighbors, and all of you who have been reading my blogs. But I am beginning to think about the future more and what may happen as I get older. My health is pretty good for someone who worked thirty-seven years as a nurse on her feet in hospitals, taking care of patients, and the responsibilities involved with their care.

Now at almost seventy-five, I think back about the changes in my body and brain over the last few years. I am thankful that my back and legs are still working reasonably well for a woman over seventy-four.

I love my life and the memories that I have from it. I have learned a lot about aging adult experiences. But I have so much to be thankful for, as you can see from my previous blog posts. I loved choosing and decorating my own home in a condominium. My sons and their wives love me, as I love them. My grandchildren are adorable and I look forward to watching them grow up. I enjoyed my condo neighbors, who were always friendly, helpful, and polite. Since I moved to a “senior living” place, I have new friends and lots of activities to enjoy.

My life is good now and peaceful. But I know that someday things could be different. I know that someday, there will be changes in my body and possibly my brain. Last September I moved into a Senior Living place in Cary. I am aware that someday, there may be changes ahead of me. But I will meet each one as it comes with the experience that I had as a nurse; the support of my family and friends; and God’s loving care, as well as learning about what is going on as I get older.