Another Year Behind Us

I can remember when I was little and thought about the year 2000. It seemed a million miles away and now is thirteen years behind me. When I was a kid anyone who was thirty years old was middle aged. I am almost fifty three and find it hard to think of myself as middle aged...it freaks me out. Truth be told even if I am extremely lucky I am well beyond middle aged which freaks me out even more!

I'd call chapter one my childhood. It was a happy chapter. We had the greatest parents a kid could ever wish for  and every one, young and old loved being at our house. It was a great place to be, in Ann Leach's kitchen at 2545 Bayard Street.

Solid working middle class family with so much love we all felt rich beyond belief...and were.

Chapter two was a scary chapter. We lost our mother within the span of thirty seconds on a shopping trip. It was Momma, my sister and I who left for a day of shopping. We  came home without her and it changed all our lives. It's been thirty five years but I  can still see the scene in  the store, I can still remember the panic I felt. It was the first big lesson I learned in life...that it can be gone in an instant.

Chapter three: I met Tim,  we married and I immediately started shoving him down the path of life. We've got three great kids who are all so different I often wonder how they all started out from  the same place yet end up in such different places.  None of them look like or act like each other but the older they get the closer they become and it warms my heart. After all, variety is the spice of life!

Chapter four: For over twenty years it was full steam ahead, always moving up and advancing, economically. Here's the thing I have learned in chapter four. You need to go back and re read chapter one.

My parents didn't have a lot of money but were loved by every person who met them. I am in no way as good a person as either of my parents but have been loved so much in chapter four that it makes chapter five easy  to write.

Chapter five:

I have made it from the above...to this.

I have made it from this to this...Just us three kids left now but enough love to fill an ocean.

Even when times got really bad and my pup got sick, People, friends and even strangers helped me get to this point...

Helping Ham has been an amazing journey. This was us at  the vet specialist for his eyes.

Chapter six:
Love is a great blessing. We are still in our house, thanks to help from many. My kids are all healthy and happy and on the road to success. My pup, Ham is on the road to recovery and regaining his sight, thanks to many.

Chapter seven:  "Count your blessings, name them one by one and you will see what The Lord has done."

When upon life's billows 
You are tempest tossed 
When you are discouraged, 
Thinking all is lost 
Count your many blessings, 
Name them one by one 
And it will surprise you 
What the Lord has done. 

Chorus: 
Count your blessings, 
Name them one by one 
Count your blessings, 
See what God has done 
Count your blessings, 
Name them one by one 
Count your many blessings, 
See what God has done. 

Are you ever burdened 
With a load of care? 
Does the cross seem heavy 
You are called to bear? 
Count your many blessings, 
Ev'ry doubt will fly 
And you will be singing 

When you look at others 
With their lands and gold 
Think that Christ has promised 
You His wealth untold 
Count your many blessings, 
Money cannot buy 
Your reward in heaven, 
Nor your home on high. 

So, amid the conflict, 
Whether great or small 
Do not be discouraged, 
God is over all 
Count your many blessings, 
Angels will attend 
Help and comfort give you 
To your journey's end.

It's a New Year . These three kids above sitting on the side of this old station wagon are now all in their fifties. Both parents are gone but they are hanging as tight as they were in this photo.

Life is a journey.... a long one if you're lucky. There are going to be hills to climb, valleys to climb out of  and  mountains to conquer.

It never stops and you shouldn't either. Sometimes I am embarrassed by needing help but have helped others when I could. Sounds trivial but is under rated..."Love is all you need."

My husband loves me, my kids love me, my brother and sister love me. My friends and in laws love me and even strangers have loved me. It's a great feeling to be loved and one that should always be paid forward. You get what you  give...I don't remember giving as much as I have gotten but promise to give even more in "Thirteen."

These two people created us  three  sibs.

The three sibs  rocked it in the eighties.

It all began here at a wedding shower. She opened a present, married my Diddy and gave life to us three. My only regret is they are gone.

The rest was destined to happen. The definition of Destiny is  "The fate to which a particular person or thing is destined; one's lot."

I've had a lot, I've endured a lot but have been blessed a lot. I'm calling it a win! By the way, Webster's also defines a win as "To achieve success in an effort or a venture."

So I am over middle aged...at  least I have made it this far. Hoping that in 2013 I can help others like they have helped me.

I am a blessed person and intend on paying it forward!

Til next  time...COTTON