Stumbling Through Life and Love

Sunset at Broad River boat landing

The other morning as I got up to get ready for work, I stumbled to the bathroom. I thought I am always stumbling and not just when I walk, but in life as well. Hence, the title. Here I am, 45 years old, training for my next career transition, still not knowing what I want to be when I grow up. Single, with minimal prospects, actually zero to none ๐Ÿ˜†. And I don’t even know how to rectify the situation. Or at least the suggestions from others aren’t working and I am this close ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿพ to saying fuck it (a sewing needle couldn’t even fit in the distance between my thumb and finger).

I know there are people who may say I am being too picky and I am not sure if there is a such thing. This is the person I plan on spending the rest of my life with. As I said before, I’m 45, I don’t think I have room for error. Maybe the term should be unrealistic. Now, I do believe that is possible. But I’m not even being unrealistic. I have 3 nonnegotiables for when I look at someone’s dating profile or someone I meet organically. One, must believe in God. I don’t care how cute you are or anything else that may sound good in your profile, that is an instant swipe left. Two, doesn’t want kids. There is nothing I can do for a man who wants kids. I’m too old and I don’t want kids. Now, he can have kids. My preference is kids that are close to grown, but I won’t rule anyone out based on the kid(s) age. Three, cannot be a conservative. This may ruffles some feathers. I do not care what side you lean towards in the general sense, but I am a woman. And as I woman, I do not believe that men should have any say in what women do with our bodies. Yes, I believe in God, but what I do is between me and God. Just like what that man does is between him and God.

Now, for all the other things that may cause others to say I am “picky”. Only having one picture, only pictures with a hat on (hats are men’s makeup), saying nothing at all on their profile, I don’t find you attractive, and they are looking for something casual (i.e. fuck buddy). I have swiped left so many times, they are running out of men in my area. They have just started to recycle the ones I already said no to ๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿพโ€โ™€๏ธ. I think dating websites are so strange and I am annoyed that this is probably the best way to meet someone. I’m terrible at it. The texting back and forth having meaningless conversations. The round of getting to know you questions. The awkward conversations when you finally do talk. Yet, when I think about it, I don’t know if I’m good at organic dating either ๐Ÿ˜ฌ. I think the plus in organic dating is there is an initial spark. Something to build on. Not the build-a-bear scene of dating apps.

When it is all said and done, I want a husband. Not just to say I got married, or I could have married the wrong person years ago ๐Ÿ˜†. So, I will keep stumbling through this life open to love and loving. Waiting to fall and that man to catch me (so cheesy). He better catch me! I don’t know if I can take another fall, figuratively and literally ๐Ÿ˜‚. Y’all saw what I looked like the last time. And fortunately or unfortunately, you all are going to have a front row seat. Hell, I already have a story to tell. Next blog. This blog post was the story builder, like the first movie or book in a series. For your sake and mines, I hope it is a short series. Continue to be well and whole. Much Love ๐Ÿงก ๐Ÿ’š

[contact-form jetpackCRM=’1′][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1′ requiredtext='(required)’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1′ requiredtext='(required)’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’ requiredtext='(required)’/][contact-field label=’Message’ type=’textarea’ requiredtext='(required)’/][/contact-form]

Sh!t Ain’t Fair, But It’s Equal

Dear Sherry,

Thank you so much for reaching out and checking on me. I was going to respond in a text, but I realized that it would have been like writing a letter. So, I am writing you a letter. A while back in one of your text messages, you said I hope life is treating you fairly. I love that statement. It made me think, is my life fair? I cannot say that it is or isn’t. I am surrounded by people who are going through things and I realize that it is just life. Is it fair? Probably not, but it is equal.

I am not in a great space. Honestly, I am not happy. Yet, occasionally I can still find moments, even pockets of happiness. I have found a spot here that I can go to sit on the water and smoke a cigar when I need to decompress. I do need to find a good bug spray though. They ate me up when I was there last time. I really love the company I work for and my coworkers. And they like me. They see value in me even on days that I struggle to see it myself. They are very intelligent women who are funny as hell. And they cuss like I do, so I can be myself. After tax season, I will start my bookkeeper training. Another valuable skill added! Also, it is cool being close to my mom. Well, I live with her so I guess I don’t have a choice ๐Ÿ˜‚.

So why am I not happy? I don’t see a space for me here. I don’t fit in. There is an unconceivable amount of traffic for such a small town. I find myself being the worst version of me, which is never good. I can’t get away from the busyness, the stop and go. Nothing feels me with a true sense of peace. I miss the familiar. I miss my city and the beauty I have always been able to find there. My barbershop family, my happy hour spots and of course my friends and family. Yet, I know I needed to leave Toledo. I just don’t think this is the place I need to be.

Healthwise, ๐Ÿคช. I am still walking and that is something I am grateful for. I mean it has went downhill severely in the little bit of time I have been here. I am not adjusting well to the changes in my health either. Or when I feel like, “Okay, this is new, but I got this.” Something else happens and I don’t have it. I don’t fucking have it at all! I am constantly grieving because before I have a chance to adjust to the new change, another one happens. This MS shit is for no one, not even the birds ๐Ÿ˜†. I have to get to the other side of this grief. I have to get to acceptance. So pray for me on that. I need it. I need to stop mourning who I used to be and love and accept this new version of me, even if that version of me is different today than it was yesterday.

Okay, enough whining and complaining. I did do the local MS Walk in Savannah, GA. They don’t have an MS walk in Bluffton or Hilton Head. My friend Shayla came from Atlanta to do the walk with me. A few other friends wanted to come, but the tickets were so high. I am glad they didn’t come because the walk was a little different than the one in Toledo. The one good thing that came from the walk is I was able to give my blankets away to 2 people living with MS. And really that is the only reason I wanted to attend the walk. Here are the blankets.

Look at the little heart I attached. So pretty ๐Ÿ˜

Shayla’s mom is also living with MS and she is one of the people I made a blanket for in 2022. Shayla took it back to her mom when she left. This was the first blanket I did with this design. I am figuring I will do more this way, unless they come out with more variegated options for the color around the ribbon. It is hard to find options that match with lime green or bright ass orange. Lol.

This blanket was made in 2022 as well for a man living with MS. I plan on continuing to make one for a man and one for a woman. But it is harder to find men living with MS than women. God will just have to keep helping me with this.

I just know how defeating MS can be at times and I hope that when these individuals see their blankets they know someone cares and is rooting for them.

I hope you are staying well and whole. Next time I am that way we can go to lunch or meet at Elizabeth Park. Sitting in some lawn chairs, looking out at the water like last time. My favorite Michigan park and my favorite Michigan person. Thank you so much for notย  giving up on me, even when I am being a turd and unresponsive. I truly appreciate your friendship, your love and your prayers. Love you Sherry ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿ’š

P.S. Now that the blankets are done, I have no excuse not to write. I am coming back to EbonyonEverything and Vivyd.