Beyond the Other Side: A Year of Blessings and Sadness

Saturday - June 20, 2009

It has been almost a year since we started this blog. The main purpose was to let our family and friends in on how we were doing, and what we were doing since we had retired from teaching. Teaching consumed most of our lives for over 30 years. Bill and I both had worked during the summer to prepare for the upcoming year.

Why would we do this? There were always new programs being implemented, and we had to stay ahead of the game (and the kids!)! We went to conferences; presented at conferences; and even helped organize conferences. Just because you have gone to four years of college, gotten a degree in a specific field in education, it was never enough for those in charge - state and national level. Teachers are required to continue their education, update their technology, attend seminars and conferences during the school year and the summer!!!!

Once we retired, we didn't have to prepare for a new school year! This was a strange feeling. However, we have kept busy. With the passing of my father, I have been staying with Mom at least three days a week. Bill stays home and looks after Toby - or maybe Toby looks after him! :)

When the newness of being retired wore off, and we realized that we could do something other than preparing ourselves to be more efficient teachers - we actually started doing things we hadn't taken the time to do. We started to going to concerts! We've been to see Celtic Woman, Celtic Thunder, George Jones, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Lord of the Dance, Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, and The Gospel Harmony Boys Concert in Huntington and Hillsdale, MI. There are others, but right now my mind is drawing a blank! :):)

We have a concert coming up tonight! Roy Clark, the co-host of HeeHaw is performing in Ashland. Bill and I are going. We are celebrating our 21st anniversary, and we are spending the evening with Roy! :):) Last year we saw George Jones on our anniversary!

Our first blog was about our 20th Anniversary trip - a two week stay at Kiawah Island in SC. We love the peace and tranquility that the island offers! It was a very relaxing two weeks for a special milestone in our lives. We hope to go back for another two weeks to celebrate another special occasion - when will that take place ???? Hmmm, we'll let you all know! :):)

This past year brought to us our first grandchild - Cora Ann Hardin! This was a wonderful blessing for the whole family! She is a precious baby girl whom we love more than anything! Sadly, we don't get to see her everyday since she lives in MI. The time we have spent with her has been memorable!

Other blessings have included the continued good health of Mom (age 89), the marriage of Todd and Cassie, and the continued recovery of Dink from his stroke this past February. We love the time we have been able to spend with family - David, Jeni, and Cora coming in for a visit; Lori, JD, and Darcie coming in for Todd and Cassie's wedding; and all the times the family gathers at Mom's.

We have had many sad moments the last year - we lost Aunt Olive, Aunt Frankie, and John. All the passings have been hard, but when John left to go home and be with Dad, it was one of the hardest things to say good-bye. It is part of life, and yes we know that God has a heavenly home waiting for all His children. But it is still hard to let go!

Bill and I have reconnected with family and friends on Facebook - yes we have become addicted!!! It has been so good to be able to talk with high school friends, family who lives away from here, and to walk down memory lane reliving some of those "good old days!" Now that we have retired - we have time to "play" on the computer instead of entering grades! :):)

We hope to visit David, Jeni, and Cora; have plans for a few more concerts; and take more opportunities to spend time with other family members and friends. There is also the plans for home improvement projects!!!

We are staying busy and are happy with being retired. We are going to celebrate our 21st anniversary by going out to eat and then on to see Roy Clark. It is going to be a very pleasant evening thanks to Mike, Debbie, Billy, and Jamie, who have taken over and spending time at Mom's so Bill and I can have this get-a-way for the evening!!! Thank you all and I love you!!!!

Last but not least I want to say thank you to Bill for always being there for me and understanding me and why I do what I do - even if it causes a lot of work for me. Let's have a great evening tonight - Hee Haw!!! :):)

21 Years Ago Today!