My Past Year in J-land

 Announcing a J-Land Activity: My Past Year in J-Land

                                                                                                          
                

The past 12 months have gone by too slowly and too quickly for me.  I seem to have lost so much.  It has been a rather trying and painful year for me.

Where to begin?  Oh heck I would never get it in the right order.  So I'll just dive in and see what I come up with.

Within the past 12 months my Aunt E died and I had to be the one to make funeral arrangements.  I had to "close out" her life if you care to think of it that way.  Had to clean out her house and get it ready to be put up for sale.  It is still on the market.

The first pet I had gotten when I moved out from home died the same week my aunt did.  I had to have my sweet Dallas (a cat for those of you that don't know) put to sleep.  She was about 19 years old.  I had never had a pet that long.  It was as if a child had died.  (I don't have children so give me a little space here ok?)

Another joy in my life was a little kitten I had found on the street in January of 2004.  Sadie was the sweetest little thing.  I had to have herput to sleep this past January.  I knew when I found her that she wouldn't live long as she had so many medical problems but I NEVER thought I would have to let her go at the tender age of 2 years old.

I know that several people in J-land lost loved ones this year.  It seemed like so many people were dying.  And then we found out that Pamela had lung cancer.  She was one of the first friends I made here in J-land.  I was so stunned to read those words in her journal "lung cancer".

Less than a year after Pamela announced she had cancer she passed away.  I can not even begin to tell you how much loss I felt.  I was blown away.  I could not believe then (and I still find it hard to believe to an extent) that someone's passing, someone I had never met face to face, someone I had never spoken to on the phone, someone I only knew online, how someone like that, could affect me the way it did. 

I cried as much for Pamela's passing as I did my own Aunt's.  I can't explain it, I can't explain it to myself how someone from J-land could touch me in such a way.  I surely don't understand it myself so I don't expect you to understand.

Week before last mom fell and fractured her hip.  Boy has that been a rollercoaster ride for the entire family!

There have been some joys in the past year.  I "rescued" my beloved kitties -- Sophie and Maggie -- from the local animal shelter.  They bring me much joy.

I have made new friends on line.  I have more than a lot of people and less than others.  I am lucky that I have a roof over my head, food for the tummy, meds for my brain, and my parents are still alive.

All in all, I know I complain but I have so much to be grateful for.

A new year is starting here in J-land and I know it is going to be a great one!!!!