"It's not about the dying. It's about the living."

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Beginnings

Let me just start out by saying -- I've never blogged before. I don't even know what I will say over the course of time. Hopefully, I'll surprise myself and have something interesting to put out there. Perhaps I'll surprise even you and make you a dedicated reader with some interest in the life of this ordinary gal who is recently retired and navigating a new phase of her life.


Despite a degree in journalism and a long and successful career in communications, I must tell you that I truly dislike writing, but I know that lately I'm being called to do this blog.  It's been gnawing at me for some time now. Every night when I lay down to go to sleep, the first thought that pops into my head is that I should get up and write something ... but what?


Maybe I do have some things to write about afterall. The question is ... is there anyone out there who would really care enough to read it? I guess I'll find out. Let's give it a shot, shall we?


Let me introduce myself. I am recently retired from a medical school in the Midwest where I served as the head of the communications department.  My husband and I have three children, four grandchildren, two dogs, three grand-dogs. I love to garden (newly found passion), cook, sew, crochet, knit, travel and read - just to name a few of the things that keep me busy. I don't like to write and I don't like to exercise, but I find that these are two necessities to remain sane. I'm also a cowgirl wannabe.


I consider myself very fortunate that I could retire early - I'm a few years premature of Medicare and traditional Social Security. My retirement was a more or less spontaneous move I made in March after my husband was diagnosed with stomach/esophageal cancer.Lots of factors played into our decision for me to retire and that is a blog in and of itself. (If you've ever seen the movie "Nell," this would be where she pokes me on the forehead with her index finger and says "you 'member dat!")

I'm not quite ready to get into why I've titled my blog "Sweet Grit." For now, suffice it to say that Sweet is my maiden name and a name that I'm quite proud of. However, this is the perfect day for "Beginnings" because it is my Mother's birthday. She would be 88 today. She's been gone for almost two years and I miss her "sweet grit" every day. Happy Birthday, Mama Lew! This is in your honor!






2 comments:

  1. Congratulations on taking the first step. Keep going. It's not the writing that brings pleasure. It's the having written.

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  2. Love your posts. I look forward to seeing more. AND trying your pie crust recipe. My grandmother also made great pie crust. But there was no recipe written down. Enjoy your retirement. We look forward to joining the club someday soon!

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