Paula Rihm:
CLASS OF 1978
Lincoln High SchoolClass of 1978
Cambridge city, IN
Lincoln High SchoolClass of 1978
Cambridge city, IN
Paula's Story
Oh my goodness...where to start. I married Mike Rihm in 1978 so we had our 31st anniversary in Sept. 2009. Yep, that's a long time. We have one son (Chris) who is 30 and one granddaughter who is just 4. Chris never married and is currently in the process of custody proceedings to get full custody of his daughter (Natalie) who is my heart and soul. She always comes running to me for a hug calling Nana in the happiest voice. Mike and I are extremely close with Natalie. She loves to spend the night here and has her own room. Just started pre-school and loves her teacher (Miss Andrea).
I love music and always wanted to play piano. I like good movies, margaritas, old friends, board games, card games, sitting around a camp fire, resort vacations, being in a helicopter or hot air balloon, the smell of burning leaves and fresh cut grass, and the warm nights. I like to think that humans are not the only intelligent species in all the universe.
Anyway, I worked for several years either in banking or office retail. I worked for an eye surgeon, for an abstract company, even tried factory work. I never did know what I wanted for sure out of life or what my passion was so I dabbled a bit and learned over time. My last position was at Dillard's as the Merchandise Information Desk Director (MIDD Director). That was in 2003 when I finally ended up having to have back surgery (big ouch)! I had needed it for years but was too afraid so I waited for newer technology. I can't complain too much about my back pain as at least I can still walk. Yeah...my back had a really messed up disk that did damage to the nerves. So now I have a titanium rod connecting L4 L5 disk. I wasn't able to return to work. I really loved it there and being out in the mix. I was good at my job. I felt needed and important. In between all this both of my parents passed away and my best friend Chantal was killed in a car accident right before Christmas. It was so hard. Life moves on.
It has taken a lot of adjustment and self realization to how much my life has changed since then.
I kind of just tuned out and gave up whi...Expand for more
ch pulled me toward the the abyss. Let me just say this...If you stare into the abyss for too long, it will stare back at you (quote by "Nicci")
I was completely lost...until Natalie came along. She made me feel whole again. God gave me a reason to fight. I guess I needed to be truly needed again. Don't get me wrong, I know that Mike and Chris need me but I had just lost my will. I no longer worked outside the home and I didn't feel as if I were contributing to my own existence. I felt like a burden to my family. How many of us out there have suffered a deep depression and didn't get help? Well, I finally got better and adjusted my life. I took a long hard look at life and asked God to guide me through the darkness. God blessed my life with Natalie and I am the best Nana I can be. Life is so new when looking through a child's eyes.
Needless to say, anyone who has grandchildren knows how different it is from having your own children. You take the time to enjoy their innocence and wonder. It is so gratifying to teach them and see all they learn. They want to learn and experience so much.
That brings me full circle. I am meant to advocate for the weak and beaten. I was very backward in school but I was also an underdog so I was tagged as a troublemaker. No, it wasn't fair but I will always stand up to a bully (especially for someone else). It took a long time for me to find my way and figure life out. A lot of hard knocks but very grateful for a good husband who understood and was patient. I got my GED and went to work.
I'm generally a very nice person who likes to get goofy and I often don't act my age. I don't give a crap what other people think. I'm happy with me. Now I feel outgoing most of the time. No one can push me around because I push back twice as hard. I will take a lot (up to a point) then look out because when I flash I am a mean ass lion. I won't tolerate people who enjoy or take pleasure in someone's pain and misery. That's when it's fighting time.
To sum it up, I like good people and will probably hurt people who try to hurt others. That's me. Paulapooh
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