The Second Half Of My Life

Have you ever wondered what your destiny in life was? Did you ever ponder whether the road you were on was the one leading to fulfillment and happiness? Unlike so many of my friends and family, I have always had the sure knowledge of what was expected of me.

Under a tree with my teddy bears and dolls around me, a message came suddenly and clearly into my mind. I was to have six children, write books that would help families, speak and teach all over the world and I would live to be 97 years old. That is pretty heavy stuff for a six year old.

Fortunately, my mother never doubted my epiphany and continued to encourage and support me through every milestone until she died in my arms at age 93. Even while nurturing my family of six children and following my husband’s military career I was in the process of preparing to “do my own thing.” After care giving for elderly parents, I realized that portion of my life was complete.

There was 40 years of productive time left on this earth to accomplish all I had set forth to do. However, after carrying so much physical weight on my body for years, I was facing inevitable diabetes and arthritis. Unless I took action, medical complications would curtain me from fulfilling my destiny.

Doing research, just as I would for any book I was writing, I investigated “one more diet” that I could live with for the rest of my life. After interviewing over 100 men and women across the country that had unsuccessfully tried the same diets that I had, my mind was made up. I finally chose gastric bypass surgery as a one-time solution.

On July 30, 2002, I underwent a procedure called laparoscopic Roux-en-Y. This surgery creates a small stomach pouch which holds less than a cup of food. A section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch that absorbs less food than before. Most patients lose over half their excess weight in the first year and a half. In the period since my operation, I have lost 115 lbs. This is equivalent to the combined weight of my three granddaughters, Amanda, Lexi and Melissa!

For the first time in years, I feel normal and in control when making food choices. Now I am able to enjoy life to the fullest and have the energy and stamina required helping other families raise their standard of living through books and workshops. Finally, my spirit and body are in sync and I am ready to go forward. I am able to concentrate on my spirit’s promptings during yoga because I am no longer concerned with whether my body will be able to balance, bend or straighten up. For me, this option was a success. It gave me the ability to concentrate again on my writing, and feel confident when I stand in front of workshops to speak. Yes, I have met my goal of being an international speaker and writer.

To travel, teach and do what I have been called to do, I must remain a woman of strength and to maintain that spirit and energy for the rest of my life. We each create our own reality by our thoughts, actions and belief systems. Hopefully that belief system will include guardian angels and a success team who will guide and assist us in our journey.

I have an obligation to that little girl who was given her life’s purpose half a life time ago. The message that I share with the children in my own family and the families that I work with is to listen carefully to the still small voice within each of us that tells us we are important and have something of value to share with the world.