Monday, January 20th started out as any Monday I suppose. I knew it would be a busy long day at work. My mom needed me to drive her to one of her doctor appointments later in the day for her eye shots. So I went about my usual day. Most of you know I love my job. When I say I love what I do…. I mean I truly do.
After Logan got sick, I knew I needed to do something. I was owner of a small fine jewelry business helping people choose diamond rings for important dates like wedding proposals and anniversaries and birthdays etc. I did this for nearly 19 years. I should have made more money from it, but in all honesty, I helped the buyer more than I helped myself. I have no regrets. I closed this business when my bench jeweler became sick with stomach cancer and I knew then it was time to get out. Then Logan got the news he had cancer. Over a period of time while he was in Birmingham with his wife and seeking treatment, I was needing to find something to do with my time when I wasnt needed by them. Honestly Ive never been a sitter or one to not have something to do. I was always involved with the school when all three of the kids were at Merritt Island Christian and in their sports and more.
One day I heard that my sister in laws sister had gone to a paint studio in Jacksonville and was talking about it on facebook of how much she loved it. Boy did the lightbulb go off for me! Ive always loved art and pretty much thought I could do about anything I put my mind to doing. At that time there were no paint studios like this in our area except one. The closest one was Orlando. Curtis and I had a little talk and he knew. He welcomed the idea and supported my new endeavor. So in 2017 I opened the doors to Creative Expressions DiY, a do-it-yourself paint studio. My only regret is that I didnt think of this 20 years prior! Its been a blast and its been a mind occupier, its been my therapist and a safe place to be. Its been wonderful to hear so many of my beautiful customers talk of how this paint studio is the same for them. Its a place to laugh, enjoy company of others, hug necks and cheer with a glass of wine exciting news of birthdays and engagements, promotions and retirements. So many have held my hand and hugged my neck and even cried and prayed for my children these last 8 difficult years of Logan and Megans cancer. And in the same way, so many have loved on me with the joy of 5 and almost 6 gorgeous grandchildren who’ve brought me so much joy and a reason to continue on when there have been countless days when I wanted to throw in the towel and cry a river.
Many ups and downs………
January 20th was one of those days. I worked all morning. Because it was a busy day, I had taken my mom to Dr. Venzara for her eye shots and then was to return back in a couple hours to get her and take her back to her apartment. On my way back to get her on Merritt Island I was involved in an accident on Hwy 520. There was traffic from the rush hour time so I really wasnt going fast. There was a car in front of me that had stopped for no reason and I didnt realize it until I didnt have the time to stop. Later, I was told the car in front of her had stopped for no reason which made her stop in the road. I went up on the median to avoid hitting her with my beautiful jeep. My right front corner hit her back left corner. She then hit the car in front of her but only his hitch. My jeep sustained the damage. My left shoulder took a pretty good hit too but a lot better than Fernando (my Jeep). Today I received the devastating news that they have deemed my 9 month old Fernando totaled out. Curtis bought me this beauty last April 30th when I faced a very close call to almost see Jesus face to face in a near death health crisis. Im very thankful no one was hurt or killed in this accident. Things can be replaced. I just loved that jeep so much. And in some odd way I feel like I paid the price for Fernando last April in a most difficult way and now he’s gone. Fernando was fun, I felt young and free. Fernando reminded me that I could let my hair down and let the wind through my hair and smile again. Fernando allowed me to have fun again…. because really, honestly…. it had been a long time since I had given myself the freedom to have fun again since Logan passed away. It had been really hard to allow myself to move forward. Its been a process. A very difficult process.
I’ll close with this saying I read today-
As long as God keeps
waking me up, He still
has a plan for me.
Amen
Think about that one.
Im glad I woke up this morning…
Until next time…. go hug your children or tell them you love them today. Tomorrow isn’t promised.