I’ve made it. I am 70 years old. That is amazing reality. I have outlived both of of my parents by more than 20 years; my 4 siblings are also still living and enjoying the senior years.
Our father died at the age of 48. My younger sister was 10 and my oldest brother was 22. The other 3 of us were aged in between. Our mother died a few years later. There was alot of tragedy, sickness and poverty during those years. The expectation was that none of us would be more than kids continuing in the same circle of struggles and poverty.
We have beaten all those odds. We not only survived but are high achievers with successes beyond the norm.
The struggles made us who we are as individuals. The history, cancer, and memories give our bonds a bit more than most siblings.
Our mother died from a tireless and long bout with cancer. What were the odds that 3 of us would be diagnosed with cancer? We weren’t until 5 years ago.. I was the first.. I completed my treatment plan 5 years ago this month. My older brother was diagnosed in December of this past year.. quickly followed by our youngest brother being diagnosed. They are both in recovery from their surgery and treatments. So. we are reminded of the pain and misery our mother experienced… What are those odds? Lousy odds, but fortunately, we didn’t have to experience this until our old age.
In a lot of ways, these cancer diagnoses have reminded me of our mortality.. it seems to bring a sense of closeness and bonds with each other not experienced since we were children.
We have not had to contend with the poverty, life struggles, and 3 younger children to take care of as our mother did. We are all fortunate enough to have good medical care.. no poverty.. no life survival struggles. None of us have had to watch our 17 year old son be shipped off to Viet Nam as a boots on the ground, Marine. That in itself would be enough to put a mother over the edge without adding in cancer, poverty, and an absent husband.
Gratitude seems to be the best gift I have been blessed with. It took a while for me to unravel this, but it is so much easier to be grateful and happy.
When you think of a birthday you think of decorated cakes and gifts..however there is absolutely nothing that I want or need as a gift. I truly have it all.. well maybe a small house on the water would be nice. Lol
I have traveled all over the world.. this started with my career in the Navy for 20 years and that was only the beginning.. traveling is my passion. I have visited over 30 countries and 6 continents. I love history, reading, writing, good friends and family. I have fond memories of all the wonderful people I have met and shared stories with. I have shared tea with people in an African Village that have never experienced any modern convencies in life but yet are some of the happiest and most genuine people in the world. I have been protected by the Mafiosa in Italy and was never afraid. I have drank expensive whiskey in Ireland. I saw some of the oldest trees in the world in Australia.. They were amazing.
I experienced a true Finnish Sauna in Hesinki.. I was in Iceland when it was daylight at 330 in the morning. Crazy.
So many travels. So many memories.. I just want to keep making them. Sometimes I feel like I need to hurry..after all I am now 70.
Today I feel like I’ve been one of the luckiest people in the 🌎.
What were the odds I would be this successful and happy!