Today, at exactly the time I post this, I will turn 50 years YOUNG.

I look better than I ever have.  I look younger than my age;  I am in great shape,

I ooze sexuality and sensuality

I am in excellent health

I have wonderful children and family who surround me

I have friends I'd go to the wall for and whom I adore!

I have a great career with a great company who pays me almost what I'm worth!  LOL

And I have a man in my life who thinks I'm the next best thing to sliced peaches in a can...who's gonna argue with him?

Now before you think I've fallen into a vat of whiskey and forgot to come up for air, follow my train of thought.....

Today,  as I do everyday, I celebrate LIFE! 

Look at what I've done and learned over the past 50 years:

I am the apple of my Daddy's eye (He taught me to be humble, work hard, and be honest)

I grew up in a huge house of family and lived to tell about it!!! (that taught me to be patient)

I graduated from High School (I learned to work hard, get good grades and study)

Worked my way through LPN school; then RN school (I learned perseverence and that an education had to be earned)

Became a volunteer Firefighter/Paramedic and later the Chief(I learned that helping my fellow man and serving my Community was fulfilling and I could manage and direct a group of high spirited adults)

Held both life and death in my hands (I learned the true meaning of life)

Learned to sky dive; scuba dive, and  bungee jumped ( I learned to overcome fears and obstacles)

Worked in a Prison (I learned that working in the ED of a Teaching Trauma Center, I was still naive)

Fell in love a couple of times and had my heart broken just as many (I learned that it's OK to give your heart away and risk it being broken and when it was, to learn to trust ...and love again)

Gave Birth and adopted children (now if anything in this World is THE best...it's becoming a parent and knowing you have a legacy...that's unconditional love!!!)

Got married........and divorced

Had my material possessions taken from me and started over from scratch (I learned that "things" don't make me what I am...I make me what I am) 

I've lived from paycheck to paycheck (I learned to appreciate what I have)

Earned 2 Master's Degrees while working two Full-time jobs.....(my day job and rearing children)

Moved away from my family and started my life over...............1500 miles away

Bought a house....... and sold it to buy another one

I live by the mottos:

Life is not a spectator sport..if you sit on the sidelines, you'll miss out on some really GREAT adventures!

Opportunity knocks but once, you can't waste life on woulda, shoulda, coulda!

Everyday is a chance to start all over again and do it right!

and of course, the Golden Rule

I pray to God each day for Patience, Strength, Guidance and His Everlasting Love. 

Overall, I've done quite well......I've had one helluva FANTASTIC learning experience......I wonder what the next 50 years will bring??????......

Wanna join me in the journey?????

Let's Roll!!!!