Half a Century and Counting

As a child, I remember my third grade teacher having her 50th birthday and telling the class she was a half a century old. We thought she was so old. Yet, here I am today turning 50 myself and it does not seem so old anymore.

Not sure if this is from my 8th birthday or not, but close.

When I was that 8 year old in third grade I could never have imagined where my life would take me and where I would be when I reached the landmark age of 50.
Today I spent riding in a car from St George, UT to Sequoia National Park in California, so I had plenty of time to reflect.
For one thing, this birthday is ending better than the last birthday. Last year I was on a road trip with my parents and son as well, and a day that began wonderfully, ended horribly when I tripped on some concrete steps and fell, breaking my leg in 2 places- one a compound fracture. Had to ride for 30 minutes in an ambulance to the closest trauma hospital and have surgery to have a rod and 2 screws placed to set my right tibia. It also was my first birthday after the passing of my husband a couple months prior.

 All smiles before my fall.

My leg post surgery. It took months to recover.

I also am grateful to be alive and celebrating. My husband passed away a few months short of his 52nd birthday after battling cancer for a little over 2 years. During that time I also fought my own battle with cancer, so to say I have a greater appreciation of my own mortality is an understatement. Robert, my husband, had a zest for life, and for enjoying even the little things. (This summer road trip is something he thoroughly would have enjoyed.)

This was the invite for Robert's 50th surprise party.

 I need to take care of myself so I can enjoy my life to the fullest. The importance of good health has become more pronounced to me after going through the past few years with my cancer battle and my broken leg. I want to be able to enjoy many years of hiking, exploring, playing and having fun with my kids and my grandkids. In order to do that I need to do my best to take care of myself.

Enjoying my birthday in 2016

All in all, I have had an amazing life. I was raised by the best parents ever who have always encouraged me and loved me and helped me. I have the best siblings ever and great in laws who check in on me all the time. I have 5 beautiful children and 2 amazing sons in law. Was married to my best friend for 29 years. Have 3 wonderful grand daughters. Have been blessed with great friends from every place I have lived. Have traveled to many amazing places. I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I live in a country that affords freedoms not granted to many in the world.

The first 50 years of my life have been more than I could ever have dreamed of . . . here is to the next 50!

Finally . . . a post in my blog

So I have long wanted to start this blog . . . and then life got in the way. In a big way. Became a grandparent- best thing ever. Husband diagnosed with cancer. Husband in remission. I got diagnosed with cancer. I finish treatment. Husband's cancer returned. He went to the ER for shortness of breath. They drained almost 2 liters of fluid from around his heart. Then he had a stroke. He survived (amazing considering the diagnosis they gave at the time). He went to rehab. Then back to the hospital. Entered hospice. Came home. More shortness of breath. Back to the hospital and the in patient hospice. Sadly he lost his battle on May 26, 2017. I never imagined myself a widow before 50.
Now I am raising our youngest son on my own and navigating a new life for us. We recently sold our home in the Orlando area and moved into a new home in Ponte Vedra. Even with all our moves, I still find the process stressful. And that is more this time as I have had to take care of everything myself.
When I was undergoing my cancer treatments I established the personal motto of, "I can do hard thing." (see Philippians 4:13) I have learned to do new things, take care of things I have never had to worry about before, and renewed skills (how to put furniture together- thank you dad for teaching me how to use a hammer and screwdriver!)
Hopefully this blog will be a space for me to learn and grow and for y'all to do that with me.