My Story

Growing up I always felt a bit odd, a little different. (People who know me well are saying I’m still a bit odd, but that’s okay. I know they mean it in love. J) I wasn’t content just accepting the status quo.

I enjoyed doing things people told me I couldn’t … I danced in the Super Bowl when I was told I’d never make it past the first round of auditions. I graduated from college with honors when my parents told me college had never been an option for me. I was accepted into the Ambassador Society for my university when I was told that honor was reserved mainly for greeks (I also changed the nomination system to make it open to all students). I enjoyed proving people wrong.

What I didn’t understand until years later is that I could have done these things not out of rebellion and stubbornness, but out of love and passion. Love for myself and passion for life.

I’ve learned that we can be thankful for our past experiences, regardless of what they are, because they all come together to make us who we are today. Today, I can love myself despite what has happened to me or what I’ve done. I can love myself because my Father in Heaven loves me. He is happy with me and is waiting to pour out his goodness to me. I just have to be willing to accept it.

I can hear the comments now, “Well, yeah, if you’ve had an easy life you can be thankful for your past, But someone like me, never.” So, lest you think my life has been smooth sailing, here is a partial list of things I have experienced: verbal abuse, repeated date rape, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity, suicide attempt, family imprisonment, death threats, threat of physical abuse, financial devastation and bankruptcy, divorce, false accusations, betrayal, single parenting, serious illness, addiction, depression, anxiety attacks, obesity and more.

I am definitely not sharing these things because I am proud of them. Quite the contrary. I’ve made some very bad choices in my life, but I can honestly say that I am thankful for the person they have made me today. God promises to use ALL things for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28) He didn’t say some things, or most things. He said ALL things.

So, here I am today saying that despite the pain of my past my heart overflows with joy. Today I pursue peace, forgiveness, wholeness, wellness, passion, energy, vision, power, dedication and life. This does not mean my life is now free from obstacles. I still have challenges to overcome, but I am working on changing my paradigm. Instead of being angry or wallowing in disappointment (some days it’s harder than others) I am choosing to look at these challenges as opportunities to grow. To become a better wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend.

Today I practice and work to Choose a Better Life.

Basic Personal Stats:

I was born in Washington DC in 1970, but spent the majority of my “growing-up” years in Southern California.

My husband, one daughter and I moved to North Carolina in 2005 (my 28th move!)

I have three daughters and a son-in-law (before you start trying to do the math, my husband is 11 years older than I am and we are a blended family.) My oldest lives in Texas with her husband, my middle daughter lives in California and my youngest lives with us in North Carolina.

My family also includes two canine kids, a Golden Retriever and a Husky/Australian Shepherd mix.

In addition to this website, I am a freelance writer who still occasionally does some business consulting (my husband and I had our own consulting firm for several years) and I am on the Board of Directors for a nonprofit organization that fosters community enjoyment of the Arts in public spaces.

My passions include (of course my friends and family are at the top of the list) spurring women on to better things, working in various leadership roles in my church, playing golf and poker (friendly games only, of courseJ), reading, enjoying the ocean whenever possible and trying new things.

On my “To Do Before I Can’t” list I include: taking a photography class, art classes and voice lessons; living overseas and jumping out of an airplane.

Now that you know a little bit about me, I’d love to hear about you. Feel free to use the Contact info to send me an email or to post your own story in the blog categories. I look forward to hearing from you!

There are currently 3 responses to “My Story”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

  1. 1 On May 2nd, 2007, Nicole said:

    Ok, so I read my freecycle and saw your website and went to it. It was no mistake that I found it because you are were I long to be and like you, I have suffered in life as well.

    Let me give you a quick background on me. I have had panic disorder and severe depression for the past umteen years but it is very bad now. I am on meds for it but apparently, it is not working out too well. I moved to NC 2 months ago and it has been my umteenth move for me too. I moved out of my home and country when I was 19. I am 38 now. I moved to Europe and then moved three times while there for 6 years. I came back and went to NJ where I am from. The I was there for 3 years and then moved to Louisiana for 2 years and then moved back to Jersey. Moved 3 times there and stayed 7 years. From there, I moved to Florida in 2005 and stayed 2 years. I am now in NC in west raleigh and on the border of Cary.

    I am a mother of 2 girls ages 14 and 8. My 14 year old daughter is bipolar and has been since the age of 7. That was when her first suicide attempt. I also have a an 8 year old daughter who is ADHD. I am on my 3rd marriage for have been married for over 9 years, with him for 11 years.

    I am obese but not due to food but Poly Cysitic Ovarian Syndrome. I have lost a total of 30 lbs in the past 5 years. i do not work due to herniated disks in my neck and back. I am also afraid to drive. I have not found a church which makes me very unhappy. My spiritual life has always been a fun one. I long for God but feel like he is another world away from me.

    I have been at my worst in the past few months. In the past two weeks, I realized just how badly depressed I am and it scares me. I am alone all day since my husband works, kids are in school. I just got a new puppy for pet therapy and it is like having a baby. Boy, Am I tired.

    I pray that your website sparks something in me that will make me think differently,

    Thanks for letting me share and I did leave a lot out.

    Nicole

  2. 2 On November 11th, 2007, Diane said:

    Dear Nicole, I have related to many of the things you have said about your life. I’m from Sleepy Hollow ,N.Y., lived in N.J. for 10 yrs. Where I met my 2nd husband. I’m now in Bushkill PA. I have been here for about 18 yrs. I dislike change. I’m 51 yrs. young, but sometimes feel 80, due to severe arthritis from a scoliosis surgery when I was 21.. I’ve also had abdominal surgery twice for ovarian cysts. Having the same condition you do. This was all before my 2 daughters were born. I had fertility problems. Under went laperoscopies,painful tests,taking temps before my feet hit the floor in the morning ,for yrs. But it was worth it all ,for I became a Mom. My 20 yr marriage to my 2nd husband ended with him putting me in jail for trying to kil him. This was all set up and I could do or say a thing because I was drunk. He droped the charges but I still ended up in there for 10 days. Went back to him only to be abuesed again. My councler told me I had to get out or I would be drinking again. So I told him it was either him or me ,but one of us had to go. He did and left while I was out and the girls at school. Long story short. We stayed in that home 2 more yrs. Onnly to lose it to fire. We were moving anyway, but taking our belongings! Our car died 2 weeks after that. So money from the insurance went to buying a car. How were we going to look for a home with out a car? We live in a very rural area. My daughter Amy, who was 15 at the time ( and has since been diognosed with bypolor became violentright after we moved into our new place. (We were homeless for 3 weeks) I had to let her go live with her father. My than 8 yr old was frighted of her sister. Now Amy is 22 and in jail. Her father never put her on meds for the bypolor. My youngest is now 16 and is being homeschooled. I too am searching for my heavenly Father. I once was a ccd teacher in the cathlic church, and an euceristict minister. But now divorsed, I’m excomunicated. I hope some of my story can show you that you don’t suffer alone. I’m on permenit disabiliety. Please excuse the spelling. Sincerly Your, Diane

  3. 3 On August 8th, 2008, Name said:

    wow i feel so upset for you i must make more of my life before its to late

    thanks you have gived me strenth to fight life not in a mean or horrible way but in a good way

Leave a Reply

I agree to the Terms and Conditions: