Thursday, September 19, 2013

Medal of Honor

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Finish the Sentence Friday

This week's sentence is I deserve a medal for the time I............

Medal of Honor #Medal  #Honor


When I got this prompt I thought about earning a medal. I'm just a normal person, I haven't done anything super courageous.  As I thought about it, I realized I probably have shown lots of courage in my life, maybe not to the extreme of Medal of Honor winners, but still courage just the same.

When my first husband died, I was 24.  I had children 2, 4, and 6. My family wanted me to move back home.  I decided to keep my children in their home and not move them.  I chose to give them a stable home and teach them that we could make it on our own.  I don't know if I would have earned a medal for that, I do know that my children and I are very close.  That is better than a medal any day!

The next big thing in my life that I feel like I deserved a medal for is when I found out I was pregnant for my fourth child.  I was nearing 40, and my children were all nearing their even year birthdays. They were almost 18, 20, and 22.

I had to tell my son who was entering his senior year of high school that his mom was pregnant.  I was not a popular person that day. Then I had to make trips to two separate colleges and inform my other children.  I didn't think it was fair to tell them over the phone. I believe they all thought mom was way past the time to have more children.  My daughter, almost 22, was appalled.  My middle son was probably the most understanding, he worried about my health.

I went through a rough pregnancy.  I had to go and have amniocentesis done.  I had bleeding issues up to about 30 weeks. This was an unplanned pregnancy and I was a little uncertain for a few months how this was going to turn out.  When the doctor decided that I needed to have the test done, that's when I got very possessive of my baby.  I told the doctor that it didn't matter how the tests came out I would go through the pregnancy.  This was my child!

Thank goodness that the test came out fine.  I was having a healthy baby boy.  Then it was just a matter of staying inactive for a while until he got a good hold on things.  My little guy was a fighter and he held on for all he was worth.  

Medal of Honor  #Medal #Honor


You know, I didn't get a medal for going through that pregnancy at that time in my life.  I got way better than a medal.  I got the most wonderful, caring person to raise.  He has been such a joy to my life.  I can't know now what my life would have been had I not had my son.  I just know I would have missed out on some of the most joyful times of my life.

Did you take a look at that picture of my mom.  She was 75.  She never colored her hair.  Do you see how dark it still was?  I don't think I am doing as well as she did?  She has been gone for 16 years now.  She would be 94 in just a couple of weeks if she were still alive.

Friendship Friday

What activities do you most look forward to each fall?  I enjoy decorating for Halloween.  I look forward to having family gatherings for the Thanksgiving holiday.  

As the days grow shorter are you impacted by Seasonal Affective Disorder?  How do you cope?  I have never been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder.  I do get down when the days shorten.  I hate to see Daylight Savings Time go away, because then it will get dark by 5:00 or so.  When they change back it really seems like the days shorten so quickly.  I spend most of the winter looking forward to spring.  I try to plan a vacation for spring.  A trip to warm temps and sunshine are what I look forward to in the spring.

Do you have any favorite fall recipes or crafts that you would like to share with us?  I shared a recipe for Old Fashioned Homemade Noodles recently that we have for Thanksgiving.  I love making fall crafts.  

Medal of Honor  #Medal  #Honor


I will be linking up with other blog hops and they are all listed on my Blog Hop page.

Now, tell me what you deserve a medal for?  
Leave me a comment, please!!





12 comments:

  1. Wow. I know so much more about you, and have a greater respect for you, too. You deserve LOTS of medals for all that you've gone through! Losing your spouse with three littles to take care of? Having to explain that to them? Goodness gracious. You really are a fighter.

    Many hugs!
    Meredith

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    1. Thanks so much! I have learned that I have lots of strength. I think most people have it in them, they just have to go through bad things to realize it.

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  2. I am not sure I deserve a medal either...I had that second child late in life too..I'm grateful to have het even though it can be stressful at times...

    I have come through a lot but I figure that's a part of living ;-)

    Maybe we all deserve medals... life isn't easy.... :-/

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    1. Launna, I know you have gone through lots and I am sure you deserve a medal. I think, like me, you are so much stronger because of it.

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  3. Betty, my first thought was you definitely deserved a medal for all you went through losing your first husband the way you did and when I read it here, I couldn't agree more. As for the late in life pregnancy, something similar happened to my great-grandmother and my grandmother was the oldest of the 5 children at the time. She, too, was none to pleased and would always tell how upset she was first finding out at 18 years old that her mom was going to have a baby, but in the end she loved her baby sister and they truly had a wonderful relationship. It all does work out, but when we are going through stuff like this it seems so impossible at times I suppose. Thanks for sharing and for linking up with us again!! :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Janine! Things always seem to work out. Some things just make us stronger. Everyone has adversity of some kind, it's all in how you deal with it, I think.

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  4. what a life, so much tragedy but you stood tall and were the mom that your kids needed the most. at the time it seems to hard, but you are truly strong and a wonderful role model

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    1. Thanks so much, Karen! I look back now and think I might have done some things a little differently. The problem is, you do what you are able to do at the time. Now, with experience, I might do things differently, but at the time I did the best I could.

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  5. Wow, I really relate to this as I had my first and ONLY son at almost 41 years old. I am so so glad that I did. I think you, and all moms, deserve medals. Wonderful post.

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    1. I bet you are a great mom, with all the life experience behind you. I really think in lots of ways I am a better mom with my younger child than with the older ones. I was physically able to do so much more with the older kids though. Luckily, I have stayed healthy and active so that I can do things with my youngest, just not at the same intensity.

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  6. You should proudly wear the medals for all you've been through!

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    1. Thanks Cassandra! I think we all get some things in life that we wouldn't choose, but we just have to deal with them and continue with life. Choosing to be happy is the key!

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Please take a moment and let me know what you think about this post. I love reading your comments. I try to answer every comment, maybe not immediately, but as quickly as I can.

Thanks!!! Betty