Marriage is an eye-opener; suddenly having to share your life with another person. You think you know him well, but you don't realize he will become furious because you squeeze the tube of toothpaste in the middle. For twenty-five years, the tube must be squeezed from the bottom and neatly folded upward. After the kids are grown, the marriage ends and a family is torn apart. Obviously, these are not good years.

Ah, the kids. Two darling girls, born eleven months apart.

When I go for my six-week checkup after the first birth, the doctor shakes his head and yells, "What have you been up to?"

Not knowing what he is talking about, I shrug my shoulders and reply, "Nothing."

Exasperated, he informs me that I am pregnant again.

"How can that be?" I ask him. "I just had a baby. I can't be having another one."

I truly did not believe God was going to bless me with another child so quickly. Such things couldn't be possible. Yes, I was that naive. A son is born five years later. Looking back, I can honestly say it was a pleasure having children. Raising children was the hardest but most rewarding thing I ever did. They are my pride and joy.

The second marriage is short and sweet. He is a dear man, ten years older, and we share much happiness. Unfortunately, he dies after 9-1/2 years of marriage. It is my privilege to care for him during the final years of his life.

When was the best time of my life? RIGHT NOW! With three loving children and four grandchildren, many friends and interests, TODAY is the best time of my life. I am free to come and go as I please, eat what I like, cook when I want, stay out all day and half the night without having to answer to anybody. It's nice having total independence. I have finally discovered who I am (a wildly exuberant old lady), what interests me (increasing and sharing my faith), what I love to do (write, help and counsel those who are hurting), and I finally have the freedom and time to pursue my dreams.