What’s something you believe everyone should know.
Time
If you had $1440 deposited into a bank account every single day but you could not roll it over to the next day what would you do?
Would you Share it? Spend it? I’m positive you wouldn’t just leave it unused. Because to not use it, would be to waste it.
We get 1440 minutes every day, 10,080 minutes every week, 43,830 a month and 525,600 minutes in every standard year. It is not refundable. Unlike a purchase which can be returned and get your money refunded, once time is spent you never get it back.
When you’re younger this seems so unimportant because there is so much time going forward available. You’ll get to it one day. Then one day you wake up and there are more minutes behind you than in front of you. And you realize you wasted so much time.
So I wish everyone knew not to waste time. This doesn’t mean being busy every available moment. It means to cherish every minute whether you are busy or just soaking up the sun or spending time with loved ones.
I get to see this up close. As a caregiver for three young children over the past 9 years, their joy explodes daily.
Making our own soda
They don’t judge. They just enjoy. Every new discovery is treated as though it’s the first time anyone has ever discovered it. Seeing a hummingbird brings jumps of joy and awe.
Seeing new art forms brings inspiration. Watching fun skills like a master chocolatier brings a desire to be one.
I learned to make up and tell stories at the prompting of the kids. Tell us a story Mimi. I had to see the world through their eyes and reignite my own imagination.
As adults we just forget to play, to be open to new things and see the world with a sense of awe. Our focus is on work, responsibilities, money, bills and acquiring stuff etc. Make time to stop. Stop and be quiet. Listen to the sounds around you. Look at the miracles taking place right before your eyes. That is being a child at heart.
2. Neil Armstrong landing and walking on the moon. Watched from our apt in Minnesota and looking up on the balcony.
3 Vietnam war and wearing POW bracelets. Serious business in middle school.
4. The exit from Vietnam
5. Watergate Scandal
6. Abortion made legal
7. Elvis Presley dies- I was fortunate enough to see him in early 1974 in Las Vegas.
8. First test tube baby born
9. Jonestown Massacre
10. Three Mile Island
11. Mount St Helen’s eruption
12. John Lennon’s murder and Reagan shot
13. Black Monday October 1987- Our first home lost about 30% of its value.
14. Desert Storm- delayed our move
15. Berlin Wall torn down (I had gone through Checkpoint Charlie in 1978). Poland and Lech Wałęsa
16. Oklahoma City Bombing-My grandma called because her house shook
17.Princess Diana dies in a car crash and her funeral. My daughters are about the same age as William and Harry. I sobbed the entire way through.
18. Columbine shootings- called my friend who had middle school students in that school district.
19. 9/11- My husband was a captain for American Airlines walking out the door when I yelled at him to come back. And our friend was sitting on the tarmac waiting to take off at Newark. Obviously neither of them flew that day.
20. Tsunami in Asia- terrifying and so sad.
21. Plane in Hudson- thinking all experienced pilots would have done the same thing
22. Sandy Hook massacre- there are no words to express the sorrow and anger
23. William and Catherine Royal Wedding- gave hope for joy
24. Osama bin Laden killed- hoped the nightmare would end but it didn’t.
25. Missing Malaysia flight-so mysterious
26.ALS Ice Bucket Challenge- hoping for an end to this horrible disease.
27. Malala Yousafzai shot in the face- again girls/women targeted just for being a female.
28. Robin Williams’s suicide- as someone who has fought depression for a very long time this one hit close to home.
29. Legalized same gender marriage
30. Queen Elizabeth surpasses Queen Victoria as longest reigning monarch
31. Brexit referendum
32. Donald Trump becomes president ugh
33. Women’s march and the #metoo movement
34. Esptein scandal -still waiting on the list
I am sure I have forgotten many but after looking over a list these are the ones I remember.
I am actually most proud of raising incredible, smart, kind, loving daughters. They are so independent and confident, two things I’ve never been.
I am also very proud of surviving divorce. After 30 years of marriage I was given $9000 in cash, part of the retirement accounts, my debts and my lawyer fees. I didn’t have a job. My world had collapsed and I collapsed along with it. It was necessary to use a retirement account to support me. I spent 3 years in a deep depression. I was out of work for 4.5 years.
I seriously didn’t know what I was going to do when the best thing happened. I became a full time care giver for a toddler. Since then 2 more children have been added to the family and I couldn’t be happier. Surviving and thriving such a great feeling.
He was a working man who loved his family and suffered tragedy. When Carol, his daughter, my dad’s half sister was 13 she died fron a brain aneurysm. Then when I was about 13, Daryl his son and my dad’s half brother died. He was around 30. Daryl died in a parachuting accident. For a long time his bedroom was kept as a shrine.
Even with all this heartache he loved his grandchildren and all the future great and great, great grandkids. My favorite memory of Grandpa is that he had the best carnival barker routine. He always made it so funny but saying pea corn, pop nuts, chewy water and soda gum. There was more to but I laughed every time.
You accomplished a lot in your long life but most importantly you loved well and were loved by many. Rest in Peace
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?
I’ve actually pondered this many times. Busy being a wife and mom, watching my friends doing the same, I marveled at how adult they seemed. There were a couple of women that stood out. S was always an adult. She lived her life by a well thought out logic. I remember she told me as a university student she loved a man but knew he would be an illogical choice for a husband. Instead she married the stable man who has lived his life with a logical mindset.
I had another friend D, who was old the first time I met her. Not old by age, but old by mindset. I am five years younger and she would always tell me, “just wait until you’re 40 then 50 then 60 etc” and then list a whole host of ailments, assuring me I too would suffer. Not a single one came true except for the food getting stuck in my teeth more frequently! 🤣🤣🤣
Recently I saw a children’s movie which emphasized the importance of never forgetting to play. Fortunately for me I am a care provider for 10 and 8 year old boys and a 4 year old girl. They remind me each day with their enthusiasm and laughter to remember to play. We’ve played pirates, had mountain climbing contests, pretending to dine at a restaurant, and even being moms and dads caring for babies. I am also reminded when tears come, it’s time to be the grownup. During disagreements, back talk, sibling arguments I can’t scream or yell. When I broke my ankle, I couldn’t panic. Remaining calm kept the kids from falling apart. Calling 911, their parents, even being treated by the EMTs, I couldn’t lose control.
So while I may not feel grownup, somewhere along the way, I did grow up.
The only possessions I’d be sad losing would be the photos and videos of my children growing up. Beyond that everything is replaceable. I think I’d actually feel free.
Why free? Since my divorce it’s been difficult to get rid of things. I’ve kept things, clothes, books and duplicate kitchen items, I’ll probably never use. But I’m afraid once something is gone, I’ll need it and not be able to replace it. So now my possessions are burdens. They are possessing me.
Losing all my possessions would make a fresh start simple and easy.
I am not sure how many people will recognize Mr. Bob Hope in the photo, but that is me at 17 years old. I was Miss Teenage Nevada and at the national pageant. It was a wonderful experience. The show was televised but I have never seen it. In 1976 there were no VCRs or DVRs to record a show. I’ve searched the internet for it but so far no luck.
This morning I was no longer 65. Today I am 66. It is always surreal to me when I have a birthday. Why? Because I can quite never figure out how I ended up this old or young depending on your perspective. Having no idea what 66 is supposed to look like or feel like, it will be interesting to discover the answers.
As of now, I still work full-time. Retirement is a possibility but for now I want to work. I enjoy caring for the children whose parents are doctors. I look forward to seeing them each morning. And isn’t that what life is all about, waking up in the morning and looking forward to the day? My life isn’t a whirlwind of travel or life in a second home, but I like my life. It may not be the one I thought I would have when I was 40 or 50 but it’s a good life. It is a peaceful life not just in my daily activities but inside my heart. I feel a deep peace and contentment.
Happy Birthday to Me. May my 66th year be my best yet.
My life on an unexpected path 