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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/

Posted on by landktheluckyones

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! 🙂

Posted on by landktheluckyones

Number forty-two

Yesterday, was our forty-second anniversary. In the last few years, we have gone somewhere for a few days to celebrate. Although, due to having therapy, we could not do the same this year. Even though we didn’t do anything exciting, I feel most lucky this year. It seems that it is during hard times that draw us together more than the good times. It is the same with God. We tend to take those closest to us for granted until something major happens, as we do with God. God has sustained me for many years and am so grateful for His hand in my life. He has shown me so much mercy. At times, I wondered if I married the right person, we are so different. God in His mercy, prepared for me the perfect mate to make us one. We went out for an enjoyable lunch, a walk on the boardwalk in East Jordan and in the evening, my sister-in-law asked me to come to her aid with help with her computer. Yes, not very exciting, but all we did, we did together. Isn’t that what marriage is about? Forging out this life together? I like to take a pic on our anniversary every year. This year, it was no different..we were not dressed up-just time together. Below, is the pic my sister-in-law took of us.

As for my doctor’s appointment, even though the doc said that I was progressing ahead of schedule, he advised that I stay off work another month. He said that it would be 6 months before I can be off many restrictions. I had felt that I needed another week or so, and yet,I feel a bit guilty for staying off work so long, yet this has been such a hard break, I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize my health and recovery. Hearing him explain all that he did and how he had to reconstruct without seeing what I looked like before was eye opening. I bet that if I would have insisted on going back to work, he would have let me, but I am following his lead on this. One exciting thing is that he said that if Leonard tested my reflexes as to whether I could stop quick while driving, I could drive again. We tested them on a road that did not have any traffic, and I did fine! Yay, I can drive! A bit of resumed independence!

Also, this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKIt5e2e498 helped me resume another bit of independence with the aid of my grabber/reach -er. You just never realize all the muscles and bones you use to do simple tasks.

Leonard took a pic of my x-ray which shows my new parts in the pic below.

Yes, we definitely are the Lucky Ones!