The Autumn of my Life
It is almost Fall! And that happens to be my favorite season of the year. …
It is almost Fall. And I am also in the Fall or Autumn of my life.
How lucky can a girl get! To be literally in the season and figuratively in the season.
Today I’m not doing a fall project, although that wreath can be used as inspiration. Today I am getting together with a group of my blogging friends who are over Fifty and we are going to share all about being Fifty and Fab!
Let me take you on the journey that has led to the Autumn of my life.
The Early Years
The first years were good, very good. I have been blessed with four children and a wonderful man by my side. As my family grew, so did my happiness. I must admit it was difficult at times to adjust to this, strange for me, culture but for the most part it was a joy to live here. We tend to think of our childhood home is based on what our parents remember. I had this nostalgic picture in my head, a relic from the early 1960s. The reality was far different.
As the children grew, I entered menopause. It was the strangest time of my life. Feeling like I didn’t belong in this body. Feeling like my head was in an oven for most of the day. Of course, the famous Greek heat did not help things at all. And to top it all off, the economy took a turn for the worst in 2008 as in the rest of the world.
Spiraling Downward
In 2011, we made the most difficult decision of our lives and had the older boys move back to the States. This was very hard for us as we have always been a very close knit family.
I remember thinking that this was not possible. We had moved to Greece to avoid this exact situation. It was then that I hit rock bottom. A sense of despair, a sense of hopelessness came over me. I would watch the TV news and not be able to make any sense of the nonsense that was being thrown at us. Lies upon lies were being fed to us and yet my sons were six thousand miles away because of those lies.
Hitting Rock Bottom
And yet, there was no end in sight. We were heavily taxed to sustain the banks and not to pay off any loans. And I … I was waiting? What was I waiting for? My younger kids to grow and then what? Would my obligations be over? What would I do with myself? I needed to get a job but there were no jobs here. I felt as if I had been spiraling downward along with the economy.
The years passed and I bided my time waiting…
…waiting.
A Light at the End of the Tunnel
These simple acts gave me life, and hope. And most of all, a purpose which I felt had been lacking for a while
The Decision
Of course, at this point I had nothing left to lose. I turned off the TV once and for all – that instrument that had been feeding me lies and bringing me down – and opened my computer!
I started a blog and visited other blogs, met other bloggers and realized that there was a whole community of like-minded people out there. And after a few months, there was an explosion in my brain. It was as if the right side of my brain had thrown off the cobwebs and started to work properly.
The Hibernation is Over
I am living proof that life is not over after Fifty. In fact, it is better than it has been in a long time. Instead of letting the economic crisis beat me down, instead of giving up, instead of having a sense of defeat, I have taken my life into my hands and created.
Yes, I have created something out of nothing. A bit like giving birth. And believe me this is one of my babies. This blog is a labor of love, for me and for those who come here every week to see what I am up to. It has given me joy and connected me with a whole world out there that is positive and vibrant. No negativity and a defeatist attitude here … not any more!
We are always learning in life. Never let anyone tell you that you are too old to learn. In a year and a half I’ve learned more than I had learned in the past ten years. I’ve learned things that I didn’t know existed! And I have picked up a camera, which has been a revelation all by itself. And I am the better for it! I guess the old foggy brain still works. And let’s not mention that right hemisphere which had been rotting away for a long, long time.
I am in the Autumn of my years! And yes, I am Fifty plus and Fabulous! There is so much more to learn, so many projects to make, so many posts to write! The second half of my life has just begun!
So don’t be shy, go and visit my Fifty and Fab friends!
This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.
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Mary, I read this last week but didn’t have a chance to comment. This is an honest, poignant post — and wonderful. You’ve become more real to me. We all are on journeys are littered with trials and doubt but we must persist with a glad heart. Thanks so much for this post.
Words of wisdom Ann Marie, life is not an apple pie and it is us who must choose how we handle it. Thank you for y our continued support. I honestly cannot believe the feedback I have gotten on this post. Maybe I should give up on the diy’s and become … I don’t even know what. haha.
Although it’s sad the economy forces drastic changes in our lives, you are proof that determination and self motivation is key. Regardless of age. It has brought out the best in you. Your creations are amazing and I’m so happy you share them, Mary. You’re truly a Fabulous 50 Inspiration!
Thank you so much my dear friend. I feel like I’m just getting started. Let’s hope the old body holds up.
I’m “almost” into my 50s, and feeling some of the same things. It is a bit unsettling as the kids launch, and we need to find our new feet. Living where the economy was tanking could only have made it all more difficult. I love hearing stories about how perseverance and tenacity, along with being open to a new path, resulted in something beautiful! (visiting from #BragAboutIt)
Thank you Seana. It is indeed a new phase for us but one that is liberating because we no longer worry about the conventional rules. We have earned our confidence thru all the trials we’ve been thru and so can move forward with purpose.
Mary,
Life is definitely a rollercoaster ride with its ups and downs. In my mid-30s I had to have a hysterectomy which threw me into menopause abruptly. The doctor had prescribed a hormone pill, but my body did not absorb the hormone and I developed severe headaches, along with depression. After changing my prescription several times, I had a physical with tests. That’s when the doctor discovered I had not absorbed one drop of the hormone. He gave me an injection of hormones while in his office and within 24 hours I began feeling better. It was that quick. That period was when I realized how much natural chemicals affected our bodies and lives. All those years I thought I was in control because of my mental attitude when in reality, chemicals determined how I felt. For years I took hormonal injections every month. When I hit 50 I was doing much better than that 1st year after surgery. Truly 50 and fab!
Judith
I am so glad to hear this Judith. It is so important that we take control of our bodies and our lives. I know that menopause was also very difficult for me. But it is slowly subsiding. Stay well and always be healthy!
Hi Mary,
What a woman! Thoroughly enjoyed reading about your adventures (challenges ?). So glad you never gave up and found your blogging heart!
Thank you Julie. I am also glad to have met so many like minded ladies who are strong and resiliant. Because to have a blog and be successful you need to have perseverance.
Beautiful post. TFS!
Thank you Amy. Thank you for stopping in.
Mary, thanks for sharing in such a vulnerable way. I could not imagine being so far away from my children. That you can find joy and purpose in your life of blogging and be at peace that they are so far away is such an amazing accomplishment. I am so happy for your joy!
Debbie, I am at peace, at least now I know that I have made the right decision. Time has shown us that things are only getting worse here and that there seems to be no end to this economic downward spiral. We all want our children to grow up and become self-sufficient adults. Here in Greece this is not possible. I certainly did not expect to get this happy side effect of the blogging but I am sure glad it happened.
Mary – loved this post and learning more about there. I think the more we are open to learning new things, taking chanced and exploring the possibilities, the better we are. And with this age comes a bit of the freedom to do this. Great post!
Thank you Cathy. I think you know this better than everyone when you took up cross fitting. Bravo to you for doing this. I can only look and admire.
Great post Mary! I am of the same ‘vintage’ as you but looking at my 50’s as a totally new experience. Life with young children. After trying for children since I was 36, it just didn’t happen. Four miscarriages later, I eventually had my daughter at 40 and my son at 42. I have no regrets whatsoever. I felt I had a wonderful, full life before children and now, at a time when most people are empty nesters, I’m only beginning that journey of being a Mum and I’m loving it. You know me, I love frugal living and that’s what my blog has been about for me too. Sharing my frugal ideas to help other people and show that you can have a rich life by making a few changes no matter what the economy is like. It’s happening all over the world including here in Australia but I like to think that what I do here at home is rubbing off on the children (which it is) so they too know how to manage financially when they get older. Thank you so much for sharing your journey at Thriving on Thursdays. It was wonderful to read.
Anne xx
Anne, you may have had your children at an older age but you are giving them much wisdom that younger moms don’t have. I also had my two youngest after 35. And with wisdom comes the ability to make choices that suit you and not the marketing department of a major store. I too love frugal and find great satisfaction in it. And am happy to be able to combine all these things in the blog. We have so much to share and give, we are far from done. Thank you for your heartfelt comment.
You go girl! Good for you for not letting the negativity rule your life. We’re never too old to learn something new; in fact, I think it’s easier at this age without all the distractions.
Thoroughly enjoyed this post. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Thank you so much Betsy for your encouragment. It has been a life changing experience and all it took was a change in perspective. It is great to be alive.
I can’t imagine what you and your family has gone through. I know that it has to be hard for you to have the boys so far away. Especially as close as you all are.
I am inspired by you, always. But even moreso after reading this. Greece is a gorgeous country and I envy you that, but the rest of it sounds very difficult.
It has to be hard to watch the country your family has roots in change so much.
That brain of yours is certainly firing on all cylinders now and I am so happy that you were able to pull yourself out of a dark place. I treasure you, my friend!
It has been hard Nikki, but every day we feel vindicated in our decision because, and I say this with sadness, we are not improving at all.
But there is always another side and that is what I am focusing on. I too am so grateful for having found you. What were the odds? And I think we make a pretty good team.
Wow Mary….So glad I read this post just now, was just about to shut down n head to bed. I was meant to read this. Like you ,,same name even.I’ve a very rough time for too long now one thing after another…cancer, fibromyalgia ,rheumatoid arthritis ,and very painful days, lost my work ,home all day ,four kids on my own, seperated..,bills piling p no money when we use to live ok and have things..I have been so down in despair wondering what I was even doing..I had just started a blog .something i had wanted to do for over a year but too afraid to do it due to only basic computer knowledge and technology I cant keep up with! I had started it didnt have money for a few things, others I got stuck didnt know what to do and its been frustrating along with so much else going on.and ended up in just in lingo for two weeks. Your post just shook me up.. it is time to brush off the cobwebs and get moving, Finish up he blog one step at a time call support for help .. and who knows one day at a time, what I can control I will figure out what I cant, I will let go and create instead! Thanks more than you know! Refreshed!
Mary I am so glad you reached out to me. I too started out with no computer skills. I used Weebly which is a very simple system of drag and drop, there is no codes involved. We learn as we go along. I am still learning so much every day. Don’t be afraid to take the plunge. I think the hardest step is this first one. But once you have begun you will see that it gets easier. For me it is like talking to my friends over coffee. Also reach out to the community they can be a great source of support and encouragement. You can even send me a message and I will be more than happy to help. Go for it Mary, it will open up a whole new world for you.