OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE!

Commitment is not a word that is foreign to me...I made a commitment 46 years ago to Love, Cherish and Walk Along Side my husband...I made a commitment when our first child was born 44 years ago and to each of those who followed to be the very best Mom I could be. I have made various other commitments to friends, employers and my God that I have endeavored to to keep "to the best of my ability." Sometimes MY ability just isn't good enough and I always know that with prayer and a little faith I can "hang in there".
Four months ago I made a commitment to Walk 60 Miles in 3 days raising money to bring HOPE and HELP to those dealing with Breast Cancer. Never having been an athlete it was going to mean taking HUNDREDS of steps "out of my comfort zone."  Knowing that I was not only taking a challenge for myself  but promising many others to follow through.  I was aware that it would take hours on the trail to make it happen. To me just 'finishing' isn't quite enough..I want to finish strong, walking in honor of all those who have trusted my commitment and believe in me.
My children are always encouraging me to "just do it, Mom!" and I read a quote by Louis E Boone, that stated, "Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have." When I registered for this walk I told my husband, "I really want to leave a legacy for my kids and grandkids that  my MOM and Grandma just DID IT!"
I have had to allow "life to happen" (babies are born,family celebrations continue to happen and the anticipation and joy still abounds. But I will also hold strong to the goal I have set and the commitment I have made.
This commitment has turned into an adventure beyond my wildest dreams with opportunities to listen to stories, share some tears and with a humble heart full of thanksgiving share some hope! Another quote that just really seems to speak to my heart right now came from Whoopi Goldberg..." We're here for a reason. I believe a bit of that reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark." Sometimes breast cancer, a severe injury or lost relationship can put us in a pretty dark place..My desire is that I can "throw a little torch" in that darkness and inspire you to "Step out of your comfort zone" find your faith , and find that challenge that will bring a new commitment to just DO IT!
Walking Strong      Susan G Komen Personal

ANTICIPATION!!

Anticiapation....That word can conjure up a multitude of feelings, fear, nervousness, dread or shear joy. In my life right now I have several upcoming events that my are filling my life with JOYFUL anticipation.

I have found that in my varied roles of Wife, Mom, and Grandma, I can experience several forms of anticipation  simutaneously. But at this particular moment shear joy, would decribe it best.
In 3 days we will join our youngest daughter and husband in a judges chambers as they and their children take an oath to love ,cherish and care for their new baby son and brother. The only word to decribe the anticipation of that day would be JOY.

In five days our oldest daughter and family will have traveled across the country, our youngest daughter and family will have traveled for several hours and our 3 boys will join us from in-state. We will be surrounded by ALL of our children and grandchildren for the first time in 5 years. The sounds of choas and laughter will fill the house and my anticipation can only be described as SHEAR JOY!

In 6 days my oldest Grandson will marry a sweet young lady and begin a new life filled with adventures and challenges. Their anticipation of  the love, adventures and challenges of their life together shines on their faces. While I'm sure their anticipation would be a mixture of nervousness and wonder of all the things that lie ahead Joy would overshadow all the others, and would be shared by all of those who love them.

Overcoming Obstacles

In my personal page I mentioned that I have had several challenges that I would have gladly let pass by had I had a choice. I am going to share a couple of those with you and how I have been able to take the 'lemons' in my life and make the perverbial lemonade. This batch takes 3 lemons with a choice to spin them into something refreshing!!

Lemon #1 

At 5 years of age my brother, home from Korea, had just purchased a "new" car. We lived on a narrow country road and headed to town for some hot dogs to roast in celebration. The nieghbor boy was coming home at the same time. We "met" on a sharp,blind corner which sent me to the hospital with a severe head injury. 

The doctor warned my parents to "not expect much from her" . (The accuracy of his diagnosis is still up for debate in some circles :) 

Lemon #2

As a 17 year old senior in High School I once again was in the wrong place at the wrong time ...and the result was 2 broken legs..compound fractures in each. The doctors the questioned whether I would ever walk again.As you may imagine those injuries have brought a variety of challenges over the years. Finally 5 1/2 years ago I had a surgery which after a very long recovery time has enabled me to walk to my hearts content. 

Lemon #3

Six years ago while in for a routine mammogram they found a "questionable" spot. After all the testing the diagnosis was cancer. I was blessed to have found it early, but was set for surgery and radiation. 

As many of you know the very word CANCER turns your world upside down. All that was 'normal' is looked at through a pink colored lens.
LEMONADE !! 

Now 6 years later while watching a Susan G Komen 3day 60 mile walk commercial, I accepted the challenge.  A few days later I registered and the commitment was made!! Now I am training for the Seattle walk in Sept.. Each mile I walk is in thanksgiving and a CELEBRATION of LIFE and the ABILITY TO WALK!

Nothing is more refreshing and healing  than taking those difficult times in your life and creating a positive memory . Finding something that brings HOPE and HELP to others is a bonus indeed.

Check out my personal page   Susan G Komen 3day Walk

WONDERS

Life is full of 'wonders'. Those moments when we set back in awe and appreciate the workings of our God in our lives. Sometimes they seem trivial to those around us but in our heart we know something awesome has taken place. Other times even a stranger would look at the situation and KNOW that they have shared a 'wonder'.
As a wife of 46 years,the Mom of 5 married children and Grandma of 16 there have been alot of those moments in my life. Hopefully as time goes on I will be privileged to share some of those times with you.
Let me share our latest little 'WONDER'. Our youngest daughter has struggled with infertility for the past nine years. While still holding to the dream of 'someday' bearing a child of her own,she and her husband gave their hearts and their love to 3 children. All adopted through Foster Care. 
Then, after years of doctors and disappointment,they made a decision to finalize the hope of bearing their own little wonder. She took all the pain and emotions that came with that decision and reached out through a blog  No Maybe Baby in hopes of helping other women. That blog has turned into a book NO MAYBE BABY!! (ordering possibilities found on her blog site or by clicking here.)
Shortly after learning that her book was headed for print, they learned of a young woman whose was carrying a little one who was gonna need a loving home. 
Yes, it's true! We have welcomed a new little 'wonder' into our family. A beautiful little boy has stolen our hearts. The amazing thing to this Grandma is that even though he is #16 my heart feels like he is #1!!! That my friend is the 'wonder' of love!

Newbie

Welcome to my new blog!!  I am so excited to have you join me as I share some of my adventures and memories. Family, Friends, and Journeys, new and old, my life has never been dull.
So come join me and share in the life of a very blessed Grandma!