I don't come around here nearly as much as I used to.

When we sold my mom's house, my sisters and I each got a modest share from the proceeds. I have chosen to use that money to go back to school. I am studying to become an Event Planner, and I am so excited! It's a certificate program, which means I take 8 classes plus an internship. I love my classes, I love being a student, I get energy from going to campus, I love all of it. I am 47 years old and finally figured out what I want to do when I grow up. Today I just got hired for an internship, which will hopefully become a job.

I am also volunteering for events and conventions in the city. It gives me the opportunity to see how it's all done, and figure out what direction I want to go with my new career.

All the homework, tests, papers and volunteering keep me extremely busy, and also keep my mind occupied. I am finally feeling like myself again. I don't feel guilty about that. I still love my mom, miss her so much and think about her every day. I think she would be happy that I am happy again, and that I am using that money to better myself.

I just wanted to share something positive in this forum tonight. Hang in there everyone. Happier days are in your future.

Good for you! That is such great news. Amazing that it has already been 6 months since our LOs died. I think I am doing pretty well too. I am teaching a class this semester on medical transcription, and that is keeping me really busy. I know that November will be a tough month - that is when we put my dad in an ALF last year - but we will deal with it.

Your mom would be so proud of you. My mom told me the other day that my dad would be proud of my teaching.

Now if I could just figure out what I want to be when I grow up

YaHoo Jackie!!!! So happy for you! Congratulations on finding yourself and good luck with your new career. Just goes to show ya that you never know what is right around the corner in our lives. Good for you! I am SURE your mom is smiling from ear to ear!

But, please dont leave us. Come back and tell us how you're doing. Your posts are very helpful and there will be others coming along here that could use your good advice.

Peace,

Mari

Thank you for the update. As an alumni of this site you are required to report at least quarterly!
Seriously, so glad to hear you are doing well. Please do keep us up as you have experience that is of value to all of us still working at getting this as close to right as possible.

Thanks everybody, and I'm not disappearing. I'm just not around as much. I'm sure I'll be leaning heavily on all of you through the holidays.
Take care.

Awesome Jackie! I am happy for you! You go girl!

Jackie, I like you have moved on after being a caregiver. I went back to school for Pharmacy Technician. I plan to take my certification exam in February 2010. I had planned to stay in the caregivers zone(i.e certificed nurses aide)--in Pennsylvania, most agencies will hire someone who is not certificed but the pay is poor. to get the money you must be certified. I realized that my back would not hold up and after aI thought about it, could I get involved with caring for someone over a long period. There really is to must love extended and I could not stand loosing someone again.
Enough of my rant, again congratulations and I wish you the best in all your endeavors.

Glad to hear Jackie. I wish you well! Sounds like a fun job too! After the Mass at my church the other night I feel the same. I was looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. I cried my eyes out & really listened to what the priest had said. He was telling us not to let the grief take over our lives, he said that would be like the devil winning. That is not what our loved ones would want. Yes we miss them so much & wish they were still with us, but we must take hold of the life they gave us. We must try to be happy for our loved ones that they are no longer broken & in a better place. I hope this isnt too much or too religious but I wanted to share the message he gave us because it really made sense to me & it helped. The Holidays will be tough as well as many other days. We will cry & remember them with love & pride. I wish ALL of You the best in the days ahead. Thank you so much for all the love & support. You All helped just knowing you would listen & understand.
Take care & Bless you all!!

Congrats Jackie!!!!

And please do stop around, it's great to hear there IS life after being an AD caregiver!!
And from my experience, I know we go back into the 'world' with new found senses of what a blessing each day is, how our service can help ourselves & others and awareness of how precious our memories are!

Take go*d care, Shaye