Leave it to my daughter and daughter-in-law to motivate me enough to actually publish the blog I've kept hidden for a year....their generosity in sharing "Thanks" has pushed me into the printed word. (a scary place if you're old) I am so thankful for people. This journey is one of life lessons and if we are smart, we will learn from those that God has placed in our path. God has placed many people in my path. Dave was the most influential people, but that is so much knowledge, it is impossible to share in my first blog entry. He was cornerstone in producing the next most influential people in my life. My kids and the wonderful spouses God blessed them with... I learn humor, kindness to people, intellectual wit, and social skills from my son. I learn simplistic joy, organization, logic, and selflessness from my daughter. I learn thoughtfulness, generosity, ease of relationships, and kindness from my daughter-in-law. I learn independence, ambition, honor, and tenacity from my son-in-law. I learned unconditional love from my strong, faithful, wise, and spoiling mother. She has been the wings beneath my feet all my life. Am I thankful this year? Yes, for people. This is just the immediate family. It will take MANY blogs to share the gratitude I have for more family and friends. God is good. All the time. And All the time...God is Good. In this highway of life, people enter and exit, but what they give you during their time with you is priceless. If you just watch and learn. Thank you, family for what you've taught this "old dog" along the way. She is better for it~

Retired....sorta

Thanks to all my incredible family and friends, I must totally be retired now, because they held a party in my name! What a fabulous evening. It was a surprise from start to finish, thanks to my generous, loving, kind, and FALSIFYING son and daugher-in-law and daughter. They "pulled the wool over the eyes of the old woman" and staged a fantastic party in my honor at the Kennedale General Store (home of my cousin's establishment and best burger in Texas) I was humbled and touched as 75 people came out to wish me good luck in the next phase of my life. I haven't had the easiest time of it lately with the loss of the love of my life and these people were there to support me as I begin the next phase of the journey God has for me. I know now, in the "twilight" of my years just what is important.....it is the people we meet, walk a while with, and love...and I can say I am the richest woman around because of the love given me by those in my life. Thanks for the memories, and support, and advice, and humor, and listening ears, and "a hand up" in the ladder of success. Wow, we really CAN'T do it on our own! It's been a great ride, and I'm hanging on for the rest of it. Hope all of you take it with me!