[HeavenlyFocus]

Thank you FW for sharing this quote from the Crown.
 
You and many others inspired me to keep my faith during the early dark times when my world was crashing down.   Hope your life is going well and that you enjoy your time this summer with family and friends.

HF

[FaithWalker]

Thank you HF.  Good to hear from you.

Yesterday was my birthday.  I'm 46 now.  I was 37 years old at BD.  It's hard to believe that so much time has passed.

I had a lovely day yesterday and am very content with the life I have carved out.  Spent the morning on my patio which I have been trying to fix up so that it can be a very nice place for Mom and myself, and any guests to relax.

D21 (who will be D22 tomorrow) and I went and did a little shoe shopping for some new sandals and then went and got pedicures.  S23 (who will be S24 on Saturday) hosted all of us at his house.  S, his GF, D21 and S19.  xMIL texted me HBD. 

D21 and I are headed for a Girl's weekend in Denver soon.  S23 will be in in Pennsylvania for training with his job.  D21 has tickets to Madison Beer so I grabbed us a room at a lovely Bed & Breakfast nearby.  We are going to do some shopping, go to the Botanical Gardens, and maybe take in a Comedy Underground show.

My lovely B and SIL who I lived with after the D, my nephew and his GF, S23 and D21 and I are headed to London in September.  We will be traveling for 9 days total.

Work is going really well and I am slated to receive a 10% raise in July.  I love my new car that replaced the one that was totaled.  Lemonade out of lemons.

And of course it's time for Paddle Boarding season.

Mom is doing well despite her health issues.  All of her sisters came to town recently and one of my Aunties stayed in our guest room.  She and I have not had the best relationship in years past, only because of something that she projected onto me when my children were young, but we have worked through that and I have forgiven her.  We had a lovely visit and it was so good for Mom to see her sisters, and for them to get an idea of what life is like with Mom now.  Auntie texted me and thanked me for how devoted I am to Mom and told me that I have a very comfortable, welcoming home.

There is so much joy to be found in the life I am living.  I wouldn't have believed anyone at Bomb Drop had they told me about all the adventures, changes in jobs, etc. that I would be having Post Bomb Drop.  I just want to encourage the newbies out there.  It does get better.  And life is worth living.  There is joy in the journey.  Joy is different than the fleeting happiness that our MLCers are seeking.  There is joy even in the midst of sorrow.  Deep, abiding joy.

[Dragonfly33]

What a beautiful update FW and how inspiring it is to hear stories like this. I hope you continue to post.

[beyondblessed]

Fantastic update, FW and Happy Birthday!  Glad you had a wonderful day!  Life really does become what the.LBS chooses to make of it, and I love all things lemon, with the right balance of sugar, of course!  Your girls' trip with D sounds like fun.  I have no idea who Madison Beer is ( I'm sure I'm showing my age with that one lol), but I hope you enjoy and have the best time!

[FaithWalker]

What a beautiful update FW and how inspiring it is to hear stories like this. I hope you continue to post.

Thank you Dragonfly

Fantastic update, FW and Happy Birthday!  Glad you had a wonderful day!  Life really does become what the.LBS chooses to make of it, and I love all things lemon, with the right balance of sugar, of course!  Your girls' trip with D sounds like fun.  I have no idea who Madison Beer is ( I'm sure I'm showing my age with that one lol), but I hope you enjoy and have the best time!

I didn't really know who she was either, but just going into D's world and enjoying that she invited me.  I downloaded some of her songs to listen to so that I would be familiar.  I can't particularly say that I would have chosen her music on my own.  Thank you for the birthday wishes!

S23 will be S24 tomorrow.  I won't get to see him as we are traveling and he is traveling elsewhere.  It really is hard to believe that I now have an S24, D22 and S19.  They were S15, D13 and S10 at Bomb Drop. 

[Evermore]

Don’t they grow up quickly! Good to read you FW

[Dragonfly33]

What a beautiful update FW and how inspiring it is to hear stories like this. I hope you continue to post.

Thank you Dragonfly

Fantastic update, FW and Happy Birthday!  Glad you had a wonderful day!  Life really does become what the.LBS chooses to make of it, and I love all things lemon, with the right balance of sugar, of course!  Your girls' trip with D sounds like fun.  I have no idea who Madison Beer is ( I'm sure I'm showing my age with that one lol), but I hope you enjoy and have the best time!

I didn't really know who she was either, but just going into D's world and enjoying that she invited me.  I downloaded some of her songs to listen to so that I would be familiar.  I can't particularly say that I would have chosen her music on my own.  Thank you for the birthday wishes!

S23 will be S24 tomorrow.  I won't get to see him as we are traveling and he is traveling elsewhere.  It really is hard to believe that I now have an S24, D22 and S19.  They were S15, D13 and S10 at Bomb Drop.

Congratulations FW. You are such a strong woman. I cannot imagine what you went through consiering you had 3 young kids at BD. These ages need both parents especially.

[sachertorte]

What amazing life force and grace you went out and got Faithwalker! I'd noticed how you always have a kindness, a reaching out, for the brethren who are in the throes of our common grief. Thank you for all your gifting to the world. Wishing you and all abiding joy, like you said.

[MadLuv]

Happy Birthday!! So good to hear your life has had so many good turns. I loved your post.  I think it’s also a good reminder to all that it may not be the case for everyone. I lost my job after BD and have had health issues with no insurance and BD came in my late 50’s, but……even so I am still moving forward. No matter what happens we seem to be able to make it through because we are all  our pure authentic selves and have loved and lived with honesty and integrity.  Even if you feel life is knocking you down you can find the positives. I am just very proud of everyone one here that are and have survived this all !!

[stillbaffled]

FW - it was good to read your update. 

Are you still working the school district office job? 

It sure is amazing how time has flown by and your kids have grown and gotten on with their lives.   

Each day is a gift and I'm glad I picked myself up and have worked hard to live joyfully, in the present, and appreciative of all that I have been blessed with. 

Blessings to you, FW.   

SB