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Forty-five

I don’t mean to disappoint, By using the title “Forty-five” you might have thought this was a post directed at our 45th president. It is not.

On this day, forty-five years ago, in a matter of minutes, I was no longer Karen Olstrom but became Karen Kirby. Though my name had changed, it would take us a lifetime to morph into “one”.

Despite this fact, we have always loved each other. Some people learn the morphing process right away. Some of us take a while.

Even though I love to chat, I am not a good communicator. Leonard can communicate decisively, boldly, bluntly, truthfully…the list could go on. As a sensitive soul, I don’t always handle this well.

After forty-five years of marriage and 2-1/2 years of dating, I appreciate our differences. We have grown. Our Ying and Yang relationship has brought us here. Where I fail, he steps in. Where he’s a little too harsh, I try to balance. A series of ups and downs have constituted our life together.

Some of those valleys have been when we’ve lost those who were ever so special to us. When we have lost those dear to us, we say to ourselves, “Life is short. Cherish each moment.” Gradually, moment by moment, we don’t cherish each day. We get irritated by something that really doesn’t matter or take days for granted.

Waitress took our pic.

Despite our differences, we are united on the things that matter most:

We have always loved each other.

Our love for and pride of our children and grandchildren knows no bounds.

Our belief in God.

Our general beliefs about morality and the world we live in.

I am thankful for this man that I call my husband…this man that I have loved since being captivated by his humor, when I was eighteen.

When I hear the doctor really emphasizing, how lucky he was to be alive! I am thankful!

I pray that I will be better at cherishing moments. We are not promised even our next breath.

On this day, the 45th anniversary of being wed, we…

Took a hike at 7 Bridges Nature Trailhttps://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/michigan/seven-bridges-trail, walked through the flea market and craft show at the Kalkaska Trout festival and ended with a delicious meal at https://www.trouttowntavern.com/

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Today I am Grateful

I believe that we should be grateful for everything that we have and experience. Does that mean that I always think of how incredibly blessed I am? Not usually, but I try. You know that saying, “You have brought nothing into this world and you will take nothing out.” That pretty much sums it up.

God gave us breath when we entered this world and He will take it, when it is our time. So, I am grateful for breath and life; for friends and family; for good times, for bad times and everything in between. For the beauty of creation, with it’s array of colors and textures. You cannot help but marvel.

Today, I met with some women that have retired from Honeywell. Some, I did not know, some it so touched my heart to see them again. I am grateful for those who set up this “get-together”. Many of these ladies worked there 30+ years. Not one said that they regretted retiring. Many said they miss the people. I echo that sentiment. It was such a good group of people there. I hope that still holds true.

The ladies that I worked with, I will always be grateful for the friendship we shared. Wisdom imparted and camaraderie with ones that will forever remain in my heart. Today, I am grateful for THIS day. Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to see some dear friends. Today, I am grateful for the many acquaintances I have made through the years. This day, I choose to be so extremely grateful for those things that may not be seen but are of the heart. Today, I am grateful that the God of the universe cares enough for me to arrange these encounters.

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April 2023

April 2023, we have had some beautiful sunny days and snow and rain and clouds and days of summer-like warmth. There have been other days that have just been down and out cold!!! Isn’t that how life is? Days where you are going along and everything is sunny and bright and then… there is the cold shoulder of someone you love, Or you get a health diagnosis or lost your job or, or, any one of many other situations that will bring us down.

I choose to focus on the fact that we ARE the Lucky Ones. Those blessed by God, Himself.

Last weekend, we went and saw the movie, “Nefarious” with another couple. I was excited to double date until I really started thinking about what this movie was about. Aprehension set in. Yet, we went on the double date, had a nice dinner at Outback and went to the movie. Sometimes, it was a bit hard to watch, but there was a lot of truth in it. It was such a joy to spend time with this other couple.

Last week, my friend since third grade was in the area and we were able to find time for lunch. Yesterday, this friend and another friend from school were all able to meet for dinner. (We usually also have another classmate in these encounters, unfortunately, she had not returned from being a “snowbird”)We had much conversation, For myself, it was a most enjoyable time. I feel that these times are gifts from God that touch my soul and bring me joy. I am quite grateful for their friendship.

Our son and daughter-in-law, amidst the things that are going on in their world, were able to check out a movie. This blesses my heart.

Today, we went out to dinner to celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary. We dined at the “Thirsty Sturgeon” which was most enjoyable. We asked a gentleman outside of the restaurant to take a pic. He ended up taking 4 of them!

I am thankful that we have been together for 43 years of marriage. Yet, to be honest, there has been many dark days as well as sunny days. I am always thankful for the sunny days and realize that the dark days are just part of life. We continue to be…

The Lucky Ones! 🙂

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Life: A mixture of Ups and Downs

It has been a bit since my last blog post. I always enjoy any time that I get to spend with my family, so this is the best place to pick up.

Tina asked us to join her for the Boyne City Mushroom festival. Tina and Isaac did the bumper cars together. This brought joy to watch.

I was able to meet some long time friends for lunch. I enjoyed seeing them so much even though I was self conscious of my physical state when I saw them. It was good to hear how their lives are changing with kids and grand-kids.

As I’ve stated previously, relationships and encounters are what I treasure above many things. On the 23rd of May, I went back to my doctor for a follow up of the hip surgery. He gave me the “go ahead” to return to work. Part of me was ecstatic, for this meant that I was doing well. As it turns out, that the day they told me to return to work, was the very day that my long time girlfriend was in the area. I totally missed an opportunity to visit with with her. Even though I was overjoyed to see the people that I have grown special relationships with at work… I cannot adequately explain how disappointed I was to not see her for this round of her returning to the area. Especially this year, when this fall has made me so aware of the frailty of life.

Since I have been recuperating, I have tried to be vigilant with walking and exercises that physical therapy has given. One of those walks, I was startled by this morning dove that did not seem to be disturbed by my entering it’s personal space.

Memorial Day weekend, Brian and family came to visit and it was such a joy to see them.

Isaac turned 11 and asked for us to take him miniature golfing. I made him an ice cream cake and he was overjoyed to get a Nerf gun that he had been asking his Mum for.

Just a few days later, was Tina’s birthday. I made her a cake made only with fruit which she thought was great!

Leonard and I with our baby

After returning to work, I found that my ability to do my job adequately and how it was effecting my health was just not providing the desired outcome. I had many mixed feelings about this. We made the decision for me to retire. The reality of not seeing the people that I have grown so close to, puts a sadness in my heart that I cannot explain. Did I return to work to early? I don’t know. I never realized a simple fall on the ice could impact not only my health but also my emotional state in such a big way. I realized how fragile life is and how quickly that can change. We decided as a couple that we needed to be together as much as possible. We both are realizing that each day is a gift and not to take it for granted.We go through life believing that there will be a better day or that we will have another day. We count on it, but that is not promised.

Even though life is a mixture of ups and downs, I am grateful to my God for the many relationships that have blessed my heart along the way. To the friends I’ve made that are near my own age to the younger ones that are younger than my own kids and the unlikely relationship that I encountered with a young man that I worked with for 7 years. These people that I’ve been accustomed to seeing everyday, I had to leave behind, yet their uniqueness and the love that I feel for them will be etched in my heart for eternity. Will I forget about them? Not a chance! They have impacted my life and changed me in a way that could have not happened without their place in my life. We have photo albums of moments with our families but, I have a photo album of memories of these people that I hold dear on my heart. No one can take that away. These are moments of just living everyday…same place, same time and yet, that is what draws you close.

Yes, life IS a mixture of ups and downs, but we remain the Lucky Ones and I am grateful.