shariew

A New Decade of Hope is here. As we close the doors on not only another year, but on another decade it is a great time to reflect on the wonderful accomplishments and plan for the times ahead.

This last decade has taught me many things. First never give up on your hopes and dreams. At the age of 46, I walked across the stage to receive my Master’s Degree. This has allowed me to launch a career to help individuals with disabilities to go back to work, school, maintain careers, and to achieve their dreams. I never anticipated when I went back to school, that I would find a career that allowed me to help others, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I am truly blessed. You are never too old to accomplish your dreams. If you are young and reading this and don’t know what you want to be when you grow up…don’t worry. I didn’t either. I found mine. You can find yours. There is always hope.

Light and Strength

There is always light in the darkness. The last half of this decade was a time of loss for my family. In the span of the last 5 years we have lost 6 Incredibly amazing and loving people. My father, My Uncle, My Aunt, My Mother and Father in law and finally my Grandmother in law. All led amazing lives and were pioneers in so many ways. Three were Veterans. One from WWII, Two from Vietnam. Three lived through the Great Depresseion. One Had an amazing career during the time when women were not expected to work. One of the original glass breakers. All of them Left their mark on this world and on our lives. I could write pages on each of them, but the one characteristic they all shared was strength. Everything these individuals set out to do, they did, and they passed this down to those they loved and left behind.

Joy Throughout the Years

With Loss comes Growth and Joy. All three of my children have graduated Highschool. One has not only graduated college with her Bachelors, but with her Master’s. She also found the time to get engaged while working full-time. Another working on her Bachelor’s, Married a Brilliant Man. All while working and keeping her family in line. Finally, I have my youngest, going to school, ranked in the top 100 worldwide in Xbox gaming, and daily battling the world. He has Aspbergers Syndrome. I am proud of his daily struggles to fit into a world that does not understand him. I am proud of all three of my children. What they have overcome, where they are going, and am going to enjoy watching what joys the future hold for them. I know they will accomplish more than my immagination can dream (and I have one heck of an immagination,)

Blessings

One of my richest blessings is my mother. I am thankfully that everyday I can see her, hug her, talk to her. She and I may argue, snap at each other, and be frustrated at each other, but she is here. I do not take that for granted. I treasure each day I have with her. She is not only my mother, but is one of my closests friends.

My husband. This one is a blessing and curse(just kidding, but if you have been married 27 years you can say things like that). He has been with me through so many things that I cannot even begin to name. I know that he will be with me for as long as there is breath in our bodies. The past decade has been hard for him having lost both his parents and his last remaining grandparent, but together we know that love and laughter will get us through.

Siblings………Okay..so I have two brothers and two sisters. One brother by blood and the rest by marriage. To my Brother by Birth. Thank You. Thank you for letting your bratty little sister tag along. Thank you for protecting me from the bullies. Thank you for so many things. Thank you for being the Uncle my children adore. For my Other Brother, Thank you for being there for my husband. You more than anyother person know what I mean, and stay away from basketball. Even I know my limitations. For my sisters. Thank you for being you. You didn’t ask to be my sister but you are. We may not talk for long periods of time, but when we do, I always feel like no time has passed and feel refreshed.

A New Decade of Hope

Bet you were wondering were I was going! Recognize the Light and Strength in your Life. Know who and what your blessings are. These are important in letting go of the past and moving forward to your future. As we close a large chapter of our lives. Ten years of triumphs, defeats, and renewals. Looking back and being thankful for what and who made those moments will help us as we journey into the next ten. I look forward to the challenges, the adventures, and whatever else is sent my way. I am ready. I hope you are too.