At the midpoint of the year, I always pause to evaluate how I’m doing. I’ve been doing this since I retired when I had to check my “wiring” as I moved into Chapter 2. There were many adjustments to make coming off of a long-time career and facing the changes that would come. The years continually brought change as Tom and I laid out some serious travel plans and also made all the adjustments needed to accommodate the needs of my parents and the addition of the “little humans” into our lives. My biggest adjustment, of course, was Tom’s untimely death and my period of grieving. Five years have now passed and most days, as Bob Seger would sing, I’m still running against the wind.

This is the first year that I feel like I am starting to bloom again. There is still so much to do, right? And if the genes in my family have anything to say about it, I have many years still ahead of me.

So, how did I get to this point? There are no words for how much I still miss Tom, and I always will. But I decided to repot myself and see what would grow. I took four classes in the spring semester at the Institute for Learning in Retirement. This is a very well-priced program offered to retirees through a local community college and taught by retirees. It was great! I had classes in Meditation, Environmental Issues, Current Events and Writing. It was a lot of fun and very stimulating. This, along with Maj Jongg and a book club, is helping to keep my brain from turning to mush!! I have taken a variety of meditation classes in addition to this course and I have to admit that meditation has helped me find balance.

For this year I have planned a couple of European trips along with trips to visit friends. In 2024 I hit 7 countries, 5 of which were new stops for me. As it stands right now, for 2025 I am planning on visiting 7 countries again. This year there will be 6 new countries for me. I love seeing new places and learning something about what makes other people tick. I will be writing blogs for each trip as well as showing you interesting doors that I hope to photograph, and I’ll be showing you some street fashion too!

All of this along with the ministries I am involved in at my church are helping me find purpose in my life. Happiness is not a given. Knowing Joy is not a given either. But if you have gratitude for what you do have in your life you may be lucky to find both.