A Year Has Past, And So Much Has Changed

Hanfordrose

With all that has happen lately, I lost track of the days. Finally coming out of the post knee surgery pain, meds and confusion, I realized that I had missed out on the passing of Christmas, New Years and my first anniversary with MFP.


My sweet hubbie and I didn't even open our Christmas presents for several days after that Christmas had passed, because I was so tired, sore and in a fog from all the pain meds. New Years Day came and went, but all remember was being awaken by small explosions of fireworks around the neighborhood. I made a mental note that it must be midnight, but the coming of 2014 didn't register.


Today, I went to my profile and found several sweet messages from friends, wishing Ed and I a great New Year. Today, I suddenly realized...It is 2014. Wow! That is a big anniversary year for me. 20 years ago, my life changed more than any other time.


In January of 1994, my father and stepmom died in the Northridge earthquake. On the day of the funeral, I realized that my marriage of 22 years was over. My very unloving husband was lusting after my own sister. She was falling for him, and I was just an obstacle in their path.


I asked for a divorce and had to rediscover who I was after years in loveless marriage. I learned to love myself again, to make choices 'for me', to manage money (sometimes well and other times poorly) but a learned. During those first years, I met some good men but not the right man for me.


In 2004, my life changed again. That was the year of bigger changes. I had become a Christian in August of 2002 and been learning how to live my life in a new way. That year, God sent me to Silver Springs, Nevada. I sold my childhood home and simply asked God to give me ‘a teacher’ in my new home in the high desert. He gave me so much more. That was where I met Pastor ‘Special Ed’ Curry.


He knew that I was the one for him and proposed within days of our first meeting, and the past 10 ten years have been filled with his love in my life.


In November 2012, the years of carrying anywhere from 240 to almost 290 pounds caught up to me. I was borderline diabetic and confined to a wheelchair with severe osteoarthritis in my knees. That’s when a Kaiser doctor offered me help, double knee replacement surgery; but I had to do ‘one important thing’. I had to lose at least 70 pounds.


Like many people, I thought that was an impossible task. I mentally tried to find ‘anything’ that could make that goal seem REAL and ATTAINABLE. I even pondered the idea of gastric surgery, but witnessed too many failures within Ed’s family and our friends to consider that surgical option, because it seemed to offer with more risks and successes. The only other choice was the good, old fashion DIET. How I hate that 4 letter word.


After one month of only meal supplement shakes and bars, I was losing weight; but my doctor insisted that I must eat some ‘regular food’.


That’s went My Fitness Pal came into my life. Late in December 2012, I went looking for a free calorie counting program to help me ‘diet’. I FOUND SO MUCH MORE. I found people…loving, understanding, wise friends who were engaged in the same battle to lose weight and get healthy. They were also there to for me, :flowerforyou:


2013 was a marvelous year, I saw my weight drop by more than 90 pounds. I overcame my fear of letting people see me in a bathing suit and rediscovered my childhood love of the water. Swimming laps toned my body, strengthened my now 68 year old frame and muscles. I dropped clothing sizes so quickly last year, going from size 32 to size 16 in pants from 4X to size 20 in tops.


Throughout all of this, my beloved Special Ed has been at my side, encouraging me and joining me, as we both got healthier. He became a curious companion on my MFP journey too, always asking about my friends online and asked what they were posting. They were his friends too.


Almost 3 weeks ago, I finally got my double knee replacement surgery which offers me a future free of wheelchairs and walkers…a new life with my wonderful husband that will let us do so much more, because I will be able to stand, to walk, to run, to ride a bike or doing anything that I haven’t been able to do for so many years ago.


I won’t say that this past month has been a happy. No, it has been filled with pain; but I am getting better; and soon, I will be healed; and the pain will be gone.


I can look back and see where I started. I can look forward and see the future without pain in a healthier body. I don’t even know where my final goals will be. That is still for the future, but I feel better today than I could have hoped for myself JUST ONE YEAR AGO…when I found MFP online.

I thank God for MFP, for my sweet friends in this wonderful place and for a future coming true.

Jinxy10236

I love reading your blogs and posts, they are so encouraging and give many of us hope that we too can accomplish what you have! Happy New Year & God Bless.

Blokeypoo

Aw that's sooo uplifting to read )

lighteningjeanne855

Bless you, Sue!
It's so good to have you back!
I'm looking forward to read your blogs about your new adventures.
You are blessed, and have the love of a good man.

Best wishes!

irrsha

welcome back my sweet friend. I was waiting and preying for you,only you were the reason of my daily log in. I was so worried about you,about your recovery,and thanks GOD you are here again. you don't know me and I don't know you but all I know is.. you are a brave, strong lady and I respect you a lot. wishing you good health.

bridget_williamson23

Welcome back Sue. Thank you so much for sharing with us! You are such an inspiration. We've been praying for you. I can't imagine the pain you've gone through these last 3 weeks but you are tough and it sounds like you are on the uphill side! Hang in there sweet lady. God has amazing adventures for you and Ed to share!

mamma_nee

What an amazing story ! Thank you so much for sharing
God Bless !

Neeser926

I think its time for a new profile pic Sue. You are not that woman any more.

hmhteacher

Awesome story! So glad you have been able to find happiness! Hope 2014 brings many wonderful things your way!

SusanFinck

Inspiring! I can't think of a more deserving person to receive God's many blessings! Power to you and Our Lord.

skinnylady2014

I have read several of your blogs. This one is probably the best yet.....you have overcome so much and have so much to look forward to!!

Blessing on you and Special Ed!!!!

Sassyallday

Thanks for sharing your story. It is filled with so much gratitude and reminders that, no matter what happens, if we keep moving, there is always something better around the corner.

All the best of 2014 to you!

smiffy0306

Wow you have been through it, I wish you all the Health and Happiness you deserve and congratulations on the weight loss

sarahthin

You are a true testament that you can change your life. It's not will power it's determination. So glad you have be able to accomplish the things you have and I know that the future is bright for you.

1longroad

Oh my Sue, what a difficult tragedy, to lose your parents and then realize your marriage was over!! I am so happy that you found God and Ed and that your path has been full of love since that time!!! Awesome!!!!

I am curious and of course you don't have to answer if you choose not to, but do you still have contact with your sister? Is she still with your ex husband? I am so sorry you had to go through that pain, but I am so happy you have been richly rewarded!!!!

primal7

Sue,
I am so thrilled you are doing better!
Happy Anniversary!
You are an inspiration! :flowerforyou:

pinkgrandmaof8

You sound so much better. We were all worried about you and praying. I know it is a rough road, two at once, but the future lies before you and it looks bright! Sorry you missed so much , but welcome t o 2014. Wishing you and Ed a marvelous, healthy, and blessed New Year! :-)

sunnyhlw77

I want to hit "Like" on your post. You've done a lot to inspire me. I feel I know you a little bit more with every post. I even read your posts to my husband and when Ed was ill and when you were not on because of your surgery, we were both concerned. I'm glad that you are recovering. I'm excited to hear more about your progress as time moves on.

bvhlvr40

Congratulations! What an inspirational story.

zenpoppy

What a Great Woman..... you made me cry with your honesty.....:flowerforyou:

NoTry_JustDo

Your life is an amazing story, and not always a happy one, I know. But I believe you've found your happy ending and I wish you the most fulfilling 2014 that you can possibly imagine, my friend.

BGabbart

You inspire me so much. I love reading about you and you are in my prayers. I am excited to get healthier this year and be able to do the things I have missed out on in the last 25 years. God is moving me to being a healthier and happier person and I am ready to see where He is going to lead me.

larryc0923

Amazing!! Thank you for sharing your key life events and congratulations on overcoming so many trials and tribulations. Take carea and have a wonderful 2014.

Hanfordrose

I think its time for a new profile pic Sue. You are not that woman any more.

I just thinking that it is nearly time for a new photo. Maybe when my new titanium knees are working without so much pain, I will get an updated profile photo...and maybe even a new before and after shot to see those lost 95 pounds.

nedtoloseme

What a blessing you are! Enjoyed reading your story. God bless!

Hanfordrose

Oh my Sue, what a difficult tragedy, to lose your parents and then realize your marriage was over!! I am so happy that you found God and Ed and that your path has been full of love since that time!!! Awesome!!!!

Within just a short period of time, I lost my baby sister to a serial killer, my mom to cancer, my dad and stepmom to the LA quake, divorced and then, lost my older son to suicide. I had to go through that all without any understanding of Christ and God's Word. That was truly a lonely time.

Once God came into my life, He led me to my brighter future. The love and strength that came with that 'truth' was the much needed part of my life. Ed was my reward for doing what God asked of me, but my salvation was the greatest gift will ever know. It helps me to find hope, even in when things seem most hopeless.

I am curious and of course you don't have to answer if you choose not to, but do you still have contact with your sister? Is she still with your ex husband? I am so sorry you had to go through that pain, but I am so happy you have been richly rewarded!!!!

My ex-husband and sister married in 1994 and were separated and divorced in just a few years. I thought that my sister betrayed me, and I would not speak to her for several years. During the first week that I began my life as a Christian, I found myself facing everything that I feared to see.

I spoke to my ex-husband and my sister. I discovered that she had refused to betray me and engage in an affair with my husband, until I chose divorce and opened that door. I love her, and we have seen each other and reunited; but she lives far away. She has met Ed and knows that I am truly blessed. She also became a Christian in same time that I did. God definitely had a time and purpose for everything that happened.

itzehoe

WOW - AMAZING!!!

Lornamcs

Happy new year to you and Ed. So glad you are feeling so much better. Take care x

Mrs__G

Wow!! What the last 20 years have brought in and out of your life. You are an inspiration in many ways. What a great example of what hard work, determination, and courage will do. I hope 2014 brings nothing but happiness and blessings to you Ed and your family.

angex3333

I feel humbled reading your story and wish you all the best

TinaBaily

Oh my Sue, what a difficult tragedy, to lose your parents and then realize your marriage was over!! I am so happy that you found God and Ed and that your path has been full of love since that time!!! Awesome!!!!

Within just a short period of time, I lost my baby sister to a serial killer, my mom to cancer, my dad and stepmom to the LA quake, divorced and then, lost my older son to suicide. I had to go through that all without any understanding of Christ and God's Word. That was truly a lonely time.

Once God came into my life, He led me to my brighter future. The love and strength that came with that 'truth' was the much needed part of my life. Ed was my reward for doing what God asked of me, but my salvation was the greatest gift will ever know. It helps me to find hope, even in when things seem most hopeless.

I am curious and of course you don't have to answer if you choose not to, but do you still have contact with your sister? Is she still with your ex husband? I am so sorry you had to go through that pain, but I am so happy you have been richly rewarded!!!!

My ex-husband and sister married in 1994 and were separated and divorced in just a few years. I thought that my sister betrayed me, and I would not speak to her for several years. During the first week that I began my life as a Christian, I found myself facing everything that I feared to see.

I spoke to my ex-husband and my sister. I discovered that she had refused to betray me and engage in an affair with my husband, until I chose divorce and opened that door. I love her, and we have seen each other and reunited; but she lives far away. She has met Ed and knows that I am truly blessed. She also became a Christian in same time that I did. God definitely had a time and purpose for everything that happened.

You have been through so very much pain in your life, Sue. It is so sad to imagine what it must have been like. Some might say you've been through your own personal He**. But, it just came to me that there is a different way to look at this. I almost private messaged this to you, but thought to myself "No. I should share it here, because maybe, as Sue says, it will help someone else who reads it."

So, in that light, what just came to me is that rather than thinking that when we are going through painful/difficult/hopeless seeming times in our lives that those times are our personal He**, we might benefit from imagining that we are like clay and that what we are going through, feeling and experiencing is molding us into a better person. We may be incapable of imagining such a possible happy future as you have, Sue, but with enough strength we can ALL get there.

I feel we ALL have strength inside us, if we are able to look deeply enough--I know, as I've been through my own version of very painful times in my life. Once we are able to find that strength to get ourselves out of whatever bad things are going on and feel peace in our lives, we are then able to become healthier in body as well as soul, or at least that has been my own personal experience, and it looks like it has been yours as well. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I know you never set out to be anyone's inspiration or motivation, but you have, and I enjoy reading your musings and posts every day. Your positive outlook on life, in spite of everything it threw your way, is most impressive.

I hope that every day finds you feeling better and better as you continue to recover from your surgery. By the way, happy new year, Sue!