GrannyAnna
 
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AARP Member
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Background
Name: Anna
Birthday: October 24
Gender: Female
Status: Widowed
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion: Christian/Protestant
Location:
RIDGECREST, California
United States
School:
George Washington High School, Danville, VA
Stratford College, Danville, VA
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Work:
Department of Defense (Navy) civilian employee
Hometown(s):
Salisbury, NC
Wilmington, NC
Danville, VA
Myrtle Beach, SC
Ridgecrest, CA
Quote:
"I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
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About Me

I was widowed in 2008 and am learning to live alone after 38 years of marriage. I have two grown daughters, four grandsons ranging in age from 5 to 20, and a little great-granddaughter born in June 2009. I love animals and have one dog and one kitten at the moment. I live in a 5th wheel and take care of my mother-in-law in addition to working full time as a logistics management specialist with the Navy. I plan to retire in July 2010

Interests:
I love to read, travel, do photography, and spend time with my children, grandsons, and great-granddaughter. I am an active member of my Anglican church and volunteer my time there. I'm also a long-time member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
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On Growing Older

A friend sent this to me.  It sounds like something I could have written as it reflects the way I now live.  The only ones I care about pleasing are my Lord and myself.

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I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family, for less gray hair or a flatter belly.  As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critiical of myself.  I've become my own friend.  I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avant garde on my patio.  I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

 

I have seen too many dear friends and relatives leave this world too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

 

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?  I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60's and 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love... I will.

 

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.  They, too, will get old.

 

I know I am sometimes forgetful.  But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten.  And I eventually remember the important things.

 

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken.  How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when your beloved pet gets hit by a car or dies of old age?  But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion.  A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

 

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.

 

So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

 

As you get older, it is easier to be positive.  You care less about what other people think.  I don't question myself anymore.  I've even earned the right to be wrong.

 

So, to answer your question, I like being old.  It has set me free.  I like the person I have become.  I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.  And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

 

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

 

Added: December 30, 2009
Views: 39 | Comments: 2 | Bookmarks: 0
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  Comments (2)  
flyeagles
flyeagles says:
Posted: December 21, 2009 5:33PM EST
shay204
shay204 says:

Just wanted to stop by and say "Hello". I was reading a post where you are/were looking for a cruisemate...I will answer that post very soon. I live on the east coast, in PA, and am sorry we are not located closer to each other. From what I've read, we have a lot in common. Anyway...have a fantastic day!
Posted: March 31, 2009 9:55AM EDT
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