Pam Dove:  

I dropped Classmates Aug 14 2011 and NO LONGER a dues paying member. If you visit my profile, I can't see your name, not because my eyes are bad but, bcuz you have to be a member. I've been a member, since 1990, of topsca180gardengrove att y0y0, yaya, close enuff, bcuz it helps keep the scale from scaring me. when I step on it. If you want to message me I'll reply but, don't think I can see it on Classmates. I'd love to know what's been going on in your life, probably because I'm nosey. haha! When it comes to reading I can do it. Mysteries and Word Play games are my favs. How about you? On to my story. I was blessed with my daughter in Dec 1966, my son Aug 1970 and 5 grandchildren, 3 boys & 2 girls. When I eventually become a GREAT grandmother I'm just liable to hire a plastic surgeon to help me through it by putting everything back where it belongs. lol 2005 was a crappy year. On an Oct. Sunday afternoon, I found my husband dead in the back yard. He had died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack. There are no words to describe it, unless you've lived it. This was a man who never abused his body. He was an athletic all his life. No smoking or drinking. He had family living well into their 100's, same as my family and I believed we'd be married well into our 90's or longer. I never thought one day, in my 50's, I'd wake up a wife and go to bed a widow. Sadly, I learned far too early in life, if you're together long enough one dies and one grieves and when it's our time, we make that journey alone, in our heart. For those couples, who are still blessed to have one another, cherish each day and each other, so there will never be any regrets. A quick note on an experience I dealt with unexpectedly. Early in my grief I was at a public function with my head lowered. A man passing by asked me what was wrong. I simply looked up and said I was having a moment thinking about my husbands passing. To my surprise & amazement he said "You just have to get over it and move on" WOW. A$$holes are truly living among us. Needless to say, he left my sight after I ripped him a new one. I would however like to say, it was done in a ladylike manner, NOT!!! 2007 After 18 mos. in grief support I was gradually getting back to some form of normal, after losing my husband. Knowing I like dancing, a girlfriend invited me to her line dance class. Well, I do the popular line dances for fun but as they progressed I found some almost required a PHD aka Pretty Hard Dance. For me, I love the ballroom dances, oh heck, I just love to dance. I generally do ok, with a dance partner who can lead, but I'm still challenged by West Coast Swing. No worries, one day I'll get it. Given OUR age, which in my brain is still YOUNG, I won't consider myself old until I hit triple digits aka 100 yrs plus. I began attending dances held at Community and Senior Centers & also danced at studio locations. I've met and danced with many people in their 70s, 80s and yes 90s, who are surprisingly= EXTREMELY active. They're young in mind and spirit and all are my heros. Of course bars do have music, but that's not my thing. It's too dark and I wanna see who's in front of me. Plus, if I jump up and down, like we all did as teens, and call it dancing, the Gods might interpret I want rain and drown out the place. The only thing that would do is, sober up people. The bar would be happy......they'd order more drinks. Problem solved.. Update: Jan 3, 2014 I'm told I'll be a Great Grandma in June. Funny how the kids thought it was so cute to shock and surprise me with that bit of news. Now I AM going to need time to find that plastic surgeon to get me through it all. Then I remembered how much I hate needles and the people holding them. eeeeek Update: WooHoo I AM FINALLY A GREAT GRANDMOTHER now I need a nap. If my oldest grandson would've had his first...Expand for more