Like Mother, Like Daughter

I'll keep this blog simple.  On Monday, I begin a 6-week challenge which involves eating right and working out.  When I was working out a year ago, I was much happier and had more energy--yeah, yeah, yeah...it's true what "they" say.

I took "before" pictures, which even though my last post, I said I was going to post more photos, this time, I must refrain.  So, as I mentally prepare, I am brought back to a moment with my mother.

We were looking at pictures when she first retired and she was looking at a photo and said, "Who is that fat woman in this picture ?"  I've reached that point.  I hate having my picture taken, but cant wait for my first selfie after the six...12..18 weeks, but I haven't reached retirement age.

I'm committed and want to live longer than my mother; I want my grandchildren to remember me, as I remember my grandma.  I want to be the grandmother, my mother was to my children and my grandma was to me.

YOU and THEY are the greatest motivator on this journey.

Thanks for always being there for me.

This Life I Live

For some time, I have been following Rory Feek's blog, "This Life I Live".  He began blogging so he had a permanent record of the life he lived.  He has experienced some triumphant times; birth of his daughter, grammy nomination...and heart wrenching times; his mother's cancer diagnosis and then death and most recently the death of his wife, Joey Feek.

Where am I getting with all of this?

At the risk of sounding cheesy, he became my inspiration; bringing meaning to my already fulfilling life.  When his heart would break, there was always a lesson and/or a time of reflection.  Whether it was good or bad, he thanked God for what he had.

I too, am thankful.  Thankful for the life I live and thankful to God for this crazy, yet unbelievable life.

When I first started blogging, I began with the dream that I one day, would be the next Erma.  Volume 1 was written to remind myself to keep life on the "light" side, no matter how difficult.  It also served to provide my mother with communication about what was going on in my life; and when she could tell I was hurting, I'd get a phone call.

The phone doesn't ring during those times anymore, and stopped ringing seven years ago; and it will be two years since my father died; both, in the month of August.  There has been life after their deaths and the only regret I have is that I haven't recorded that time in writing. 

And again, back to Rory's inspiration, he adds pictures...and those that know me, know, I will have one or two of those...

Mom, although the phone didn't ring; this ones for you and Dad.

Thank you.  Thank you, for this life I live.