Sunday, April 19, 2015

Bang the Drum


 Bang the drum softly.

I turned 68 today.... this summer will celebrate my 50th High School Reunion.. How does one get to this place in life?  Has it been a life will lived?  I keep telling myself and others that I do the best I can with what I have at the time.  Is that really good enough?  Can I do better?  I think I have always strived to do the best I can and for the most part have succeeded.  Am sure others would say I could have done better.  And 'they' say that after thought is always better than fore thought.. that works a lot of the time  :)
I have had a good life,  for the most part.  Have done a lot of what I wanted to do, achieved things I did not think possible.  Got to travel to places far and wide with friends and family. Served my country.
Have lost both parents, and a nephew, which is a sad and sorry thing.  Took care of  an Aunt who had dementia, for 5 years.
 I would have liked to have more children, that did not work out for me. (AND that is not to say that my son is not enough, which he is and is for sure a great love in my life) Have not been fortunate enough to have grandchildren, which is a  great sadness.  But some things just past by and are not within our control.  We do with what we have :)
I have nieces that have little girls I try to be close to and my dear friends in Iowa with which I get to 'share' their wonderful children, but only once a year about.. but we do with what we have and make the best of what is. So I have 5 that I am Nana to and that is fun and great and makes me very happy!!
I got to retire at 55 and have been retired now a great long time :)  which is a GREAT blessing, but boy did it seem at times that I was having to really work for it???  HA!
THAT is one thing my parents, as children of the depression instilled in me was a work ethic that had no end.  And being in the US Navy further cemented that work for what you want enthusiasm, if you will.
I have my friends who are especially dear to me.
I have a lovely home that do so enjoy 'fixing up making nice and happy.
So, yes, things are good, have been good and continue on being good, God willing.
Thank you for putting up with me one and all.
Does anyone else get a little 'thrown' by these years piling up behind you?

TAKE CARE & GOD BLESS and know that I am great  full for and cherish each and everyone of you who follow and read my yammering week after week, day by day..... THAT is really a baffling and wonderful thing!!!

17 comments:

  1. Well, a very happy birthday to you! I will reach the same milepost in July. Never expected to live this long. Life with all its ups and downs is sure better than looking at the wrong side of the grass. ;)

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    1. Yes, certainly am glad I am on the right side!!

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  2. Happy Birthday to you from me as well, Loree! I love your yammerings. Your life is most of the time simple and refreshing, and your creativity is always fun to see, your yard, your flowers, your friends, your travels. I have enjoyed following along with you because there is something very soul satisfying about your life and the way that you share it. I'll be 70 this year, and yes, it seems quite impossible that I have come to this stage of my life intact. Thanks for being you.

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    1. You are one to talk of creativity, I do enjoy your blog and get excited when there is something 'new' showing!!

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  3. Happy Birthday Loree, I think you have done very well for yourself. Stay Healthy and Happy!

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  4. Happy Birthday. It gets even better from now on, as you realize that everything you've done has gotten you to this perfect point, and it looks like you are thinking that way. I'm well past 68 and I think I'm getting wiser every day and looking at people and things around me with joy. You have many good years to go!

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    1. I hope I get wiser too!!! And enjoy the 'joy' in life!!

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  5. I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Loree! I always enjoy reading your blog posts and this one was one of your best!

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  7. I cannot say as I have been surprised by the passing years. I am not even surprised that my energy level diminishes a tiny bit by tiny bit each passing year. Very glad, though, that I get to have good friends and my family , whether by blood, marriage or other means! You are an inspiration of what someone can do in the "golden" years. Your life, since I have known you, has been a series of what can I do, not a series of what am I not able to do. Love you, girlfriend. Glad to know you and glad your days was special.

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    1. Glad to know you too, and share in life's little adventures ;)

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  8. Happy Birthday! I am months ahead of you. I do not spend much time on what ifs and Like Judy, I am a bit surprised to still be here and very grateful for that indeed. Live long and prosper!

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    1. Live long and proper!!! I always forget that.. why is that??? a favorite saying!!

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  9. You know, Loree, it doesn't matter what "they" say or think, only you can truly answer those questions for yourself! And, in the end, we only answer for ourselves, so continue to bang that drum! I love you!

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  10. Am late in wishing you a very happy 68th....I turned 68 in September. I also went to my 50th High School reunion (the very first I attended) in September. Wow.....it just went by SO fast!!! I think if everyone is honest, we all wonder where all those years went and how they crept up so fast. Well, it wasn't fast, at the time, but it sure feels like it now.
    Love reading what you've been up to, new things you are trying and just everything in general!!

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