Life Happens
While we make plans.31 total reviews
Comment from Jay Squires
Ann, how did I miss this? It is such a warm and uplifting highlight of your life through all your adventures and loves. You have touched on the truly important things in life; not the least of which is letting life itself carry you aloft, taking you along her itinerary, depositing you, willy-nilly, in a new adventure, knowing you would find enrichment as you lifted up the corners of her mysteries. I discovered all that when I read about you and Ronnie, after twenty-five years of marriage ... in fact, ON your twenty-fifth anniversary ... sitting outside your rented RV looking at the stars and sipping wine (his red, yours white) ... and you wrote the words, "We were just learning." About wine. About birding. About grebes and buzzards. Who would be still enthralled, after a quarter century, by the joy of learning something together ... except someone who deeply loves her husband and is awash by life?!
Ah, life had to be smiling down on you then, Ann. Obviously it still is.
I'm indebted to Terry for PMing that you had written this piece and that you mentioned my name in it. (What a sneaky way he had of luring me into it!) In spite of gratifying my horned ego, I honestly was touched at a deeper level than the snuggly little ego-hug that your post provided.
I've discovered in those four words, "We were just learning," what I feel (and I know that you, and Terry, as well, feel) at every new beginning in each of our creative projects; in my case, whether it be a new story, a new scene in my latest play, working three hours daily on my Spanish lessons, or devouring Alan Moore's writing course on-line, in tandom with reading his thousand-page novel, "Jerusalem". Oh, it can be exhausting. But, like you, Ann, how better can I spend my time than to be "just learning".
Thank you for reminding me of that with this delight of a post!
Jay
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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Ann, how did I miss this? It is such a warm and uplifting highlight of your life through all your adventures and loves. You have touched on the truly important things in life; not the least of which is letting life itself carry you aloft, taking you along her itinerary, depositing you, willy-nilly, in a new adventure, knowing you would find enrichment as you lifted up the corners of her mysteries. I discovered all that when I read about you and Ronnie, after twenty-five years of marriage ... in fact, ON your twenty-fifth anniversary ... sitting outside your rented RV looking at the stars and sipping wine (his red, yours white) ... and you wrote the words, "We were just learning." About wine. About birding. About grebes and buzzards. Who would be still enthralled, after a quarter century, by the joy of learning something together ... except someone who deeply loves her husband and is awash by life?!
Ah, life had to be smiling down on you then, Ann. Obviously it still is.
I'm indebted to Terry for PMing that you had written this piece and that you mentioned my name in it. (What a sneaky way he had of luring me into it!) In spite of gratifying my horned ego, I honestly was touched at a deeper level than the snuggly little ego-hug that your post provided.
I've discovered in those four words, "We were just learning," what I feel (and I know that you, and Terry, as well, feel) at every new beginning in each of our creative projects; in my case, whether it be a new story, a new scene in my latest play, working three hours daily on my Spanish lessons, or devouring Alan Moore's writing course on-line, in tandom with reading his thousand-page novel, "Jerusalem". Oh, it can be exhausting. But, like you, Ann, how better can I spend my time than to be "just learning".
Thank you for reminding me of that with this delight of a post!
Jay
Comment Written 23-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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WOW. Thank you, Jay.. It is always so encouraging and uplifting when someone really hears what is being said in a post -- because too often it gets lost in the process. I so appreciate not only your words, but the time and effort it took to share them with me! Just a mediocre, everyday 'you did a good job' coming from a Jay Squires' level of writing is nice -- to get this review is awesome!
Thank you. ann
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Ann, your post did open my eyes to what is easily overlooked in the creative process ... and that is daily seeing life as something new and fresh and realizing that each of is, at whatever level, just learning. I value your lesson.
Comment from Ramona Agin
My Dear Ann, I don't even know where to start.Life does happen doesn't it? Life in all it's happiness and sorrow and then happiness again. Each day a new beginning for those of us strong enough to stick around and survive the pain. You've taken some hard hits but you've gotten right back up. Bravo! Excellently written memoir. As always I enjoy your reading and I don't give out six stars often. These are deserved. You're an excellent writer.
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2022
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My Dear Ann, I don't even know where to start.Life does happen doesn't it? Life in all it's happiness and sorrow and then happiness again. Each day a new beginning for those of us strong enough to stick around and survive the pain. You've taken some hard hits but you've gotten right back up. Bravo! Excellently written memoir. As always I enjoy your reading and I don't give out six stars often. These are deserved. You're an excellent writer.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2022
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Thank you. I am humbled by 6 stars.. My life has been filled with so much love and wonderful memories. I am grateful. ann
Comment from Carolyn Dooley
Your life certainly had many twists and turns. I do relate. I lost my husband in November 2017, and have been trying to recover from his lost. My life has not or will never be the same. I am glad to hear you found a way to try to enjoy life after losing two husbands. And keep it up. My daughter lives with me, and she takes good care of me. However, I am existing. I enjoyed reading your story. Each one of your losses sent a chill through my body, I felt your pain. I wish you good luck. Have a great Easter.
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2022
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Your life certainly had many twists and turns. I do relate. I lost my husband in November 2017, and have been trying to recover from his lost. My life has not or will never be the same. I am glad to hear you found a way to try to enjoy life after losing two husbands. And keep it up. My daughter lives with me, and she takes good care of me. However, I am existing. I enjoyed reading your story. Each one of your losses sent a chill through my body, I felt your pain. I wish you good luck. Have a great Easter.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2022
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Happy Easter to you as well. You are right in that your life will never be the same, but it can still be good. It takes a lot of effort sometimes to just 'think about the good stuff' and let the rest of it go by. Life is too short not to find every minute of joy. My heart goes out to you, as do my prayers for your happiness. ann
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Thank you and you are correct.
Comment from Theodore McDowell
This is a very wise post that highlights the fact that we may make plans but life has a way of happening, with all of its twists and turns. I'm happy you feel blessed.
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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This is a very wise post that highlights the fact that we may make plans but life has a way of happening, with all of its twists and turns. I'm happy you feel blessed.
Comment Written 16-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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Thank you so much for the review. I appreciate your time and your words. ann
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
I have to tell you how inspiring this story is. I know so many men and women who have given in to loneliness and seclusion since the death of their spouse, but you have chosen to continue to live on in the world and to be open to what life brings next.
Very well written and on-point. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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I have to tell you how inspiring this story is. I know so many men and women who have given in to loneliness and seclusion since the death of their spouse, but you have chosen to continue to live on in the world and to be open to what life brings next.
Very well written and on-point. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 16-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I appreciate your time in doing both and love the encouraging words! ann
Comment from Bridge
A very interesting story. I completely agree with you ...life is full of twists and turns and yet things seem to somehow work in the end. Very well written. Thanks for sharing.
With regards
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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A very interesting story. I completely agree with you ...life is full of twists and turns and yet things seem to somehow work in the end. Very well written. Thanks for sharing.
With regards
Comment Written 16-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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Thanks for reading and commenting. i appreciate your time and your thoughts. ann
Comment from Annette R.
Loved the picture - very fitting for the story. The large bold font is great. I'm mid-seventies, once divorced and twice widowed. Particularly liked time allows wounds to become buried treasured memories. I think we get what we put out in the world when God agrees. I too feel blessed.
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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Loved the picture - very fitting for the story. The large bold font is great. I'm mid-seventies, once divorced and twice widowed. Particularly liked time allows wounds to become buried treasured memories. I think we get what we put out in the world when God agrees. I too feel blessed.
Comment Written 15-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with me. It is good to get up every day to see what this one will be! I use that type and font because I have a difficult time reading some others' posts. I suppose that is what mid-seventies brings for both of us. lol. ann
Comment from Shirley McLain
I'm sorry about your losses, and it sounds like you have made a great friend. I think it would be nice to meet a FanStorian close to home to share things with. You did a great job. Enjoy the rest of your Friday. Shirley
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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I'm sorry about your losses, and it sounds like you have made a great friend. I think it would be nice to meet a FanStorian close to home to share things with. You did a great job. Enjoy the rest of your Friday. Shirley
Comment Written 15-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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Thanks so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts with me. a positive with a fanstorian friend is at least one common ground. lol ann
Comment from Anne Johnston
I enjoyed reading your story very much. I am glad that you and your first husband were able to achieve your dream of traveling, and I am glad that the Lord has blessed you in the years after his death. I retired at 60, and my husband and I did some traveling. So glad we had two years together and then the Lord saw fit to take him home.
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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I enjoyed reading your story very much. I am glad that you and your first husband were able to achieve your dream of traveling, and I am glad that the Lord has blessed you in the years after his death. I retired at 60, and my husband and I did some traveling. So glad we had two years together and then the Lord saw fit to take him home.
Comment Written 15-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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I have indeed been blessed beyond my wildest imagination. Thanks for reading and commenting. ann
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You are welcome
Comment from Ric Myworld
Well, it sounds like you've found a way to fill those lonely times, and I'm happy for you. In the everchanging cycle of life we never know what tomorrow will bring. When things are bad, they usually get better. And when they are so good you can hardly stand it, watch out . . . things are about to blow up. LOL. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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Well, it sounds like you've found a way to fill those lonely times, and I'm happy for you. In the everchanging cycle of life we never know what tomorrow will bring. When things are bad, they usually get better. And when they are so good you can hardly stand it, watch out . . . things are about to blow up. LOL. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 15-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2022
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This too shall pass -- applies to the good and the bad. It is always interesting to get up every morning to see what this day brings. Thanks for reading and commenting. ann
