August 8, 1994

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died on August 8th2 times! In 1994 I was in a coma until August 22nd. When I woke up, I knew God had big plans for me. Now 13 years later, I can see how He worked in my life. I want to celebrate this day with you. Now my hair is thinner than my waist line. I have more white than blond in my hair. My knees go out more than I do. I don’t see wrinkles I see laugh lines. Once my house was messy, now I turned into a Stepford wife (only when it comes to cleaning). I have more patience now than before. My heart beats harder now, with the love I have found. My family got bigger, 2 daughters in law, and five grandsons. I look at myself and see someone that has been blessed over and over. Why? I guess it is because I am a different person. I have been quicker to say a kind word than to say something that is rude. I have learned to value myself, I was number six, before I was the last one to eat, go to bed or fix up my home. Now I am closer to the top of the list. I have 4 sons in 3 different cities, 2 in different states. I miss them but realized I had to let them start living their adult lives. They have made my husband and me proud beyond our wildest dreams. I have been privileged to be able to stay at home and enjoy palm trees, soap operas and reality TV. A phone call, an e-mail and regular mail brings me news from friends and family. I get post cards from friends that do the traveling I used to do. Every now and then we get our grandsons, Matthew 7 and Timothy 4. Tim’s twin, Nathaniel, has gotten a rough start on life, since they were born on April 22, 2003. They were born 6 weeks premature. Tim was able to come home after a few weeks, but Nate was not so lucky. In his 14 short months he was only home 1 week in total. He has a lot wrong and a lot right with him. Each day we see new miracles all around him. He is now in a place called Heaven and he is doing so well. We have 2 more twins, Hunter and Jacob 2 years old. They live in Maryland and we just saw them 2 weeks ago. I have kissed them more, hugged them a lot and am amazed on how smart and funny they are. Thom has retired, so we plan things around them. Soon there will be carousels, swings and slides in our future. I look younger, Thom looks prouder since our grandsons starting showing up in our hearts. We live a simple life, we believe we are following God’s plan. We don’t go out to eat; Thom is a better cook than any restaurant. We don’t go to the movies, because there are Disney fireworks in the back yard. Thom still sees me as a 22 year old bride and I see him as my shinny white knight in armor. Days will go by and we live each one to the fullest. Each day is my favorite one, because when Thom is home . He still works 2 days a week at Disney as a Monorail Driver. I have met new friends and found old ones on the internet. I have seen kindness and charity abound. I have a husband that gets to drive his own railroad set, knowing the grandsons will love saying. “My gramps drives the monorail”. I have sons that are at the top of their game. I have daughters in laws that love my sons as much as I love their dad. I have sugar plums for grandchildren. Terrible things happened on September 11th 2001. Now we look at each and every joy and sorrow differently. We are proud to hang our American Flag, Thom is proud he was been able to have served his county. I loved all the jobs, I have had brought me to a richer experience. I know that a home in not defined by lot number or address, but by the lives that lives there. I look forward to seeing things though our young grandson’s eyes. I can’t wait for them to say “I love you Grammie!” They will be others that will touch our lives in the days to come. We’ll welcome them, to home made pizza, a comfortable chair and a place they feel safe in. I have not been writing for a while to experience having grandchildren. I have had time to sit on my back deck and smell orange trees. I look at old albums and think “Was I ever that skinny?” To remember our wedding day and think, “how is it possible that I love Thom more? I was re-born, 14 years ago. Now I can clearly see all the joys that have been laid in my heart.