It’s been two whole years since I made my big life change. What a change it has been! This past year was full of wonderfully enjoyable experiences, devastatingly difficult experiences, and everything in between.

First, my most wonderful event was getting engaged to the most wonderful man in the world, Kenn Long. He is so kind, easy-going, funny, and, while I’m a far cry from perfect, he tells me repeatedly that I am perfect….perfect for him. My main complaint is that, after a year and a half, we have yet to have an argument. While I realize that’s not a bad problem to have, it’s bound to happen, right? I almost feel like manufacturing one to get it over with. I said almost.
Our wedding day is scheduled sometime in 2022. Or thereabouts.

My most difficult experiences were losing two people I love very much, both named Judy. Both were besties at different times of my life, one early on in my New Jersey days and the other while I lived in Georgia and beyond. While they were both loving and caring friends, their personalities couldn’t have been more different. New Jersey Judy was outgoing, quick-witted and very funny. She could make a silent monk laugh. Georgia Judy was introverted, quiet, but with a dry sense of humor. I’ve prayed for God to let the two of them meet……NJ Judy would crack GA Judy up!

My two furry kids, Krystal and Casey, are plugging along. Krystal is now 15 1/2 years old and mostly deaf. She can hear Casey bark, me whistle, and when I talk VERY loudly close to her head. She also reads lips. I mouthed the word ‘no’ to her and she immediately stopped doing something. So I decided to mouth the words ‘go potty’ to her and she immediately headed for the doggy door to do her business. Casey tries to keep her informed of important things, like when someone comes to the door, a dog walks by the house, etc. The vet did determine that she has an undiagnosed mass in her liver and she is showing some signs of dementia. I know her days are numbered and I pray I don’t have to make hard decisions some day.

I think back to February 2, 2013, and remember my feelings of anxiousness, excitement, loneliness. It’s amazing how God worked with my imperfectness and blessed me more than I could imagine!