My passions include golf, all kinds of music, reading anything I can get my hands on, solving crossword puzzles, learning new things, taking college classes, talking with people, sharing e-mails and jokes with friends, watching movies, walking, playing with dogs, traveling, my children, my friends and their families, massages, sharing intimacy, hand-holding, connecting with people for whom I care, and just living.
Five years ago, I had to say goodbye to my old Whoopi and Boogdogs. It was one of the saddest days of my life. We walked many country miles together. They were so old and weak that I had to let them go. I miss them every day. Some of my happiest memories are of my dogs and my kids running around the farm together. Taking a walk without my dogs will never be as joyous as it was with them.
My children are 28 and 31. My daughter has a great companion. In order to further their design careers, they recently moved from Denver to Cincinnati. I enjoy visiting Denver. We spent two incredible weeks with Mel and Jeff last December. To celebrate our 50th birthdays and Patsy's divorce, we spent a week in Denver in May. It just happened to be the week after Mel and Jeff moved. It was still a great trip.
My son was married in
November 2001. We were fortunate to be in Georgia with him and his new bride. My son is an Army Captain who was in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault),a West Point graduate and a Bronze Star recipient. Thankfully, he safely returned back to his dear wife after his first deployment. He is back from Iraq for the second time. What little he could tell us about his second deployment was scary. I'm just relieved he is safe now. I am proud of him.
Although I detest this war, our present administration and the lies we've been told, I have to support my son and his people who are doing what they have been sent to do. Being a military mom is a tough job. Although it is hard, my son is doing what he loves and I have to support him. It is emotionally draining to have a have a child in a war situation. My heart goes out to other families who have loved ones in harm's way, those who have lost loved ones or have watched them suffer with lingering wounds. Will it ever end? Where is any sense of reason these days?
I am happy that my children are very much their own people and they are not afraid to make decisions. Despite my errors, they grew to be responsible and motivated people of whom I'm most proud.
It's a pleasure when the kids and their mates come for visits. It's always hard to say goodbye when they leave.
April 2005 was an eventful month. I finished six years, five years as president, serving on the board of directors at our golf course. In those years, we accomplished many good things to grow our business. I am proud of what we did. We made our business more efficient and balanced. Our golf course is better in every way than it's ever been. It was a challenge and an education trying to meet the needs of the business while maintaining a fairly tight budget and dealing with so many varied opinions. Although it consumed much of my time, I was glad to have the experience. It was rewarding to see necessary changes made and to do what I believed in.
The saddest part of April 2005 was caring for my sick sister at her home. We buried her in early May. There have many challenges since her death as well. She was my only sister. I miss her every day. As hard as it was, it was an honor to be by her side in her last weeks.
I've done lots of traveling in the last few years and it has been most enriching. I look forward to more travel and adventure. Last winter, while my husband was off work, we went to Jamaica, Denver, Las Vegas and Mesquite, NV. It was the best winter of our lives. Swimming naked in the moonlit ocean in Negril, Jamaica was a priceless experience. I can't wait to do it again in Ocho Rios, Jamaica this December.
In May 2004, I finished my college program in business. Continuing my education was something I wanted to do for many years. It was my main goal after my children were raised. I enjoyed each day of school and the interaction with my fellow students and instructors who were mostly much younger than I, but I got a kick out of them. I finished with a 3.89 GPA. In the future, I'd like to take a philosophy class and other classes that interest me. I enjoy school just for the experience of learning and being there.
Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have been touched by many people. I have such great friends and they truly bless my life. I don't know where I'd be without them. My best friend is one with whom I've been friends from birth. I'm even named after her mother. She has been my lifeline many times. She props me up and brings me to my senses when the need arises, which is much too often. We have a great time together. She is a happily divorced person now and looking forward to the rest of her life without the abuse from which she suffered for many years. My husband and I have been there for her and helped her in every way to move on with her life.
I respect the right of all people to be what they want to be and to live however they choose. I don't believe that government has the right to decide what a woman does with her body, whom people marry nor should they control our lives in needless ways. The most upsetting thing to me is social intolerance. It is such a destructive weapon among human beings. "Why can't we just ALL get along?"
Life is a journey. In the last year, I have faced many trials. In the course of it all, I have found myself, peace, love, compassion and a greater love for life. What doesn't kill us certainly makes us stronger. I am a better person today than I was a year ago when my dear sister called me to assist her as she was dying. I have learned so much about life and relationships because of the last year. I have become more accepting and loving toward my family and my in-laws. Forgiveness and gratitude are good for the soul. It's good for me.
This year, I am going to focus on playing the best golf of my life. I've got a great new set of Ping woods and the best putter in the world.
"The story of a love is not important...what is important is that one is capable of love." Helen Hayes
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them...the first time." Maya Angelou
"The worst that can happen to your heart is not rejection by another person but failure to act on the love you feel."
Martha Beck
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."
Philip K. Dick