I am a Better Woman Today

 The past weeks have been up and down, crazy busy and full of both laughter and tears. I believe I just described life in general.  I have been living life and enjoying life and wanting the most out of life and grabbing what I can from, well, LIFE.

Nothing would be any good, however, if I did not learn something.  Every day I get a chance to observe, listen and then make a decision as to what remains in my life and what gets removed.  

As I approach my 70th birthday, I am reminded that milestones like this one matter.  If I am the same person I was at 65 then I have wasted five years I will never get back.  I am happy to report that I am not the same woman I was five years ago.  I am a better woman today.

There are people who would disagree with that statement.  The ones who would disagree are people I have only the base line of respect for - I acknowledge their humanity and their inherent dignity as creatures of The Creator but I do not want them in my house, around my Scottish Terriers or near my car at night.  They are untrustworthy, dishonorable humans.  I wish them well and hold them in prayer.

I am a better woman today.  I learned something this past ten days about someone and now I will approach my relationship with them in a different manner.  Do they get a second chance?  Oh hell no...I am a better woman, not a stupid one, and they demonstrated their inner character.  I take note, I smile, I love them and now? I guard my heart.  They cannot be trusted with information.

I am a better woman today.  I have watched people the past five years demonstrate their eagerness to shoot for the moon.  They work so hard, never let their children down, are intelligent in their analysis of what goes on in the world. Those people are now in my wheelhouse of friends. That's what I want around me. 

I am a better woman today. My relationship with God and His Church is solid and not dictated by who is Pope or president of my country.  When I pray, I feel His Presence. When I worship it is not about me, it is about Him. When I get scared or anxious, He comforts me. I finally understand St Therese of Lisieux writing about crawling into the lap of her Heavenly Father and what that means.  

Being the Last One Standing has helped.  While I am so grateful for the extended family I have, knowing that the three that were the ones who shaped me have gone on ahead changes a person. I am changed.  I am not the same.

 I am a better woman today.