Reverb 10, Day 1

My friend Debra and her daughters are participating in reverb 10 for December. http://www.reverb10.com/

I decided I would join them in this project, even though it's not about reviewing books! 

"Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. Use the end of your year as an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead."

For day 1: Describe the year 2010 in one word.

     My word for 2010 is New. I started January having been divorced for 6 months. Everything that came my way this year has been a new experience. After having been married for 37 years this was my first full year of being single again and making many new decisions. The first one I made that has really changed my life was that I realized I didn't want to spend the rest of my life alone. I had always said "If I'm ever single again, I will never remarry." I quickly learned that had been a rash statement and one made with absolutely NO experience in that particular situation. 

I also discovered many - MANY others make these same rash statements often..... but that's another story for another day!

I took my brother-in-law's advice and decided to try the online dating thing. Believe me when I say that was a NEW experience! After dates with 4 men, I decided being alone wasn't so bad  :)  and I quit. Then one Sunday evening I thought, I'm going to try this one last time... and within the week I met Randy. That was a new relationship that has given me  a new understanding of what a wonderful, blessed, and fabulous relationship should be. - and could be.

The dating life - new and scary. Making decisions on my own - new. Deciding to remarry - new.  Making plans to join 2 households - new. My 2010 has been a year of ups and downs, lots of fears, lots of new understanding of  friend's discomfort with a divorcee.... That was a hard thing to learn - but valuable. 

Most importantly, a NEW understanding of my relationship with God. An interesting year, altogether.

My word for 2011:
CONTENTMENT

Where did November go?

Here I am on the last day of November and realize that I haven't blogged since the first week in October... Worse yet, I'm not sure I've read a complete book in the last 2 months... I KNOW.... I can't believe it either. I had no idea how busy life would get.

Jonathan has been in the process of moving, I've been spending my free time with Randy as much as possible, going to church in Wichita is a blessing but that takes time, I'm trying to keep up with all of my wonderful friends who stood by me and helped me through the last few years, plus work.... I feel like I am pulled in many directions! I know, I know, I'm whining!

I have enjoyed reading the blogs that I follow and catch myself wondering why they don't have new posts if it's been a day or two since they've shared... Then I realized it's been 2 MONTHS for me.. Man, I have got to get busy! I've thought of doing a blog on getting married in your late 50's but even though I write them in my head, I haven't taken the time to write them down.

So I apologize to those of you who follow my blog. I have read enough books in my life I know I have books to talk about. Now, if I'll just take the time to do it.

A TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR FRIEND, DEBRA

Debra

I've mentioned my Book Club many times. One of my favorite women, Debra, is a book club friend.  She is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. She is a retired music teacher. Not only does she teach music she is a wonderful mother, a fun grandmother, she's a dedicated Christian, a quilter, a gardener (her gardens are to die for) and she writes. Her words flow as if they are set to music. I have referred my friends to her blog many times.

I've known Debra for 11 years. I met her for the first time at our first book club meeting. She is an avid reader and gained her love of reading from her Dad.

In all this time of being Debra - being a wife to Danny is what has always stood out the most to me.   [Being women] We often talk in book club about our lives. Our loves. Our heartaches. Our frustrations.  In all of this I could always hear the tone of love in Debra's comments - her love for her Danny.

Her Danny soared into heaven this week. A mere 61 years old. - With many plans in mind of enjoying retirement with his beloved Debra.  Now, Danny - a scientist - is singing and praising God.

He is looking at his farmland that he loved from the heavens. He is wanting to hug his Debra and let her know that it's ok - he's better than ever and waiting on her to join him. - To show her all the wonders he has discovered.

This is my tribute to one of the dearest friends I have,

 Debra Blakley -

 beloved wife of Danny.