Today is the 30th anniversary of my 39th birthday. While I was walking this evening, I was thinking that I should feel a bit depressed as life is whizzing by way too fast. How did I get so old when I wasn’t looking?
Instead, I was thinking how incredibly lucky I am! I have enjoyed the company of my best friend Larry for 42 years. We have worked and played together—through thick and thin, good times and scary medical issues—and still he is my best friend! We are able to travel and explore, even with his health issues. I have two sons, one walks-on-water daughter-in-law and two wonderful grandchildren. We have a small, comfortable house and my pottery shop in Texas, surrounded by a wonderful, caring community-with some very special friends. And we have a community started by the Escapees RV Club which was founded and is still run by the Peterson-Carr families. I was even lucky enough to work for Bud and Cathie Carr—two of the most special people on earth—not once but twice—first in the 1990s and again in the 2004-2008. Both jobs gave me opportunities to learn new skills and grow. And by accident, I decided to try pottery again and found my love of throwing clay again. Eventually, I overcame my fear of fire and with Larry’s help, fire the pottery kiln all by myself. I am amazed at the things I have learned since I turned 50! Life is continuing education—with no degree in sight yet. Who would have thought the senior years could be so exciting and fulfilling?
And even with Larry’s failing kidneys, we have been able to continue traveling because we have two wonderful doctors who are willing to work with our plans. We stay in touch via email and fax monthly lab test results back. We have learned what to watch for with his test results and know we may have to head for an Emergency Room if things get too bad. We carry SkyMed insurance should his kidneys fail completely and Larry has to return home without delay to start dialysis.
So, instead of being depressed at my advancing age, I feel empowered to use the rest of our time doing what we want—until we can’t! No sitting around waiting for old-age issues to consume our days, we are ready to head off for another adventure.
We have been here at Sugar Barge Resort for 2 1/2 months. It has been a very nice experience being in one place for so long.
We would have loved to stay here this summer to enjoy the produce from the numerous local family farms. Brentwood-Oakley is on the edge of the bountiful California Central Valley which feeds a large portion of the US. However, our son and his family will be in Vancouver, WA ,around the first of June, so we are going to Salem, OR, to see them.
One new thing is that I learned from my sisters is how to make bead necklaces . I have been stringing beads to help them build stock for their upcoming craft shows. My fumbling fingers have been able to assemble about 15 necklaces. Diane (on right) assembles a kit with beads she thinks would be pretty in a necklace—and I string them while watching—listening to—TV..
This is the basic pattern and then we fill in with seed and pearl beads. I do prefer making pottery, but throwing clay in the camper would be a bit unrealistic! Darn! Anyway, it gave me something to do with my hands while we have been here.
Our plans are to head north on Thursday toward Salem, OR. We will be stopping at least twice, maybe three times on the trip. We should be in Salem by next Tuesday.
On your next birthday, I hope you are able to feel as full and excited as I am today—with much behind me in years—yet looking forward to many more new experiences waiting around the bend.
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