Boomer of the Week:
Michele West
Sacramento, California
The stories of personal transformation that we are sharing with you each week have been written by members of our Boomers TV community. They are generously sharing their journey with us to offer hope and inspiration.
This week, we introduce you to Michele West, a Boomer who makes her home in Sacramento, California.
Michele West
Reflections of a 54 Years-Young Boomer
In the year 1999, I had nearly raised two boys, and had just experienced the loss of my husband of nearly 25 years to an untimely death at age 48. After coming to grips with my grief and realizing life was still going on for me, I was beginning to look forward to developing my own life. After always putting my needs and career on the back burner, I could finally take advantage of all the higher education I had received earlier. After only one year of being "back to work", I was in a position where I could climb my professional ladder as high as I wanted to.
"Retired", but not by choice
Unfortunately, only two years into this process, I began to develop health problems that would not resolve. At age 51, I was forced into a disability based retirement, for which I was completely and totally unprepared. (I think if I had had a show like yours during these years I might not have had to go through such misery?!) Emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually, I went through some of the darkest days of my life. At times I was convinced there was nothing more for me in this life. I seriously considered joining my late husband, by taking my own life, but knew how much it would have added to my sons' unbearable grief.
Hanging On, Moving On
So I hung on and decided to find out how people lived when they were no longer expected to show up for something or someone every day. I became interested in doing family research, as I wanted to preserve the memory of my children's father. This hobby exposed me to mostly older (truly retired) people. For the first time in many years, I was really inspired by what I saw. It was amazing how they were really embracing their life, even as their health, strength, friends and family were slipping away.
Making Up for Lost Time
As I decided to also embrace this time in my life, I began to remember all those things that I had always pushed aside, because there was never enough time or money! To make a long story short, I now have my fingers in so many pots that I can't figure out how to get into all the things that I really want to do. I have begun taking cake decorating and plan to go to a "desserts expo" in Las Vegas this summer. I have started selling little things here and there on eBay and have made some money too! I'm really looking forward to going to the eBay Live conference this summer, where over 10,000 people are expected to gather! I restarted taking German lessons to keep my mind sharp. I'm playing the piano almost every day and am thinking of rejoining a choir, except that I am running out of evenings to fit it in! Meanwhile I have taken up some needle work that has been sitting in the corner for more years than I can remember. And just to make sure I don't over do it, my new husband and I are planning a ten day cruise to Alaska later this year.
The Next 50 Years...
After being isolated for several years, my activities have led me to even more wonderful people and excitement than I would ever have imagined. Even though my physical condition has not improved enough to return to my job life, I have so much living to do right now that I can't hardly imagine how I can get it all in! I definitely will need another 40-50 years to get to it!
Reaching Out
There has been one very remarkable blessing that has come from all the loneliness and pain that I have suffered. Besides having time to do all kinds of fun things, I now have awareness that I am not alone. There are many, many people just like me out in the world. They too need to know they aren't forgotten or unnecessary any more. I now have the time to reach out and be there for those people, either by phone, email, letters or any number of ways to let people know that they are remembered and appreciated just by their living and being!
This week, we introduce you to Michele West, a Boomer who makes her home in Sacramento, California.
Michele West
Reflections of a 54 Years-Young Boomer
In the year 1999, I had nearly raised two boys, and had just experienced the loss of my husband of nearly 25 years to an untimely death at age 48. After coming to grips with my grief and realizing life was still going on for me, I was beginning to look forward to developing my own life. After always putting my needs and career on the back burner, I could finally take advantage of all the higher education I had received earlier. After only one year of being "back to work", I was in a position where I could climb my professional ladder as high as I wanted to.
"Retired", but not by choice
Unfortunately, only two years into this process, I began to develop health problems that would not resolve. At age 51, I was forced into a disability based retirement, for which I was completely and totally unprepared. (I think if I had had a show like yours during these years I might not have had to go through such misery?!) Emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually, I went through some of the darkest days of my life. At times I was convinced there was nothing more for me in this life. I seriously considered joining my late husband, by taking my own life, but knew how much it would have added to my sons' unbearable grief.
Hanging On, Moving On
So I hung on and decided to find out how people lived when they were no longer expected to show up for something or someone every day. I became interested in doing family research, as I wanted to preserve the memory of my children's father. This hobby exposed me to mostly older (truly retired) people. For the first time in many years, I was really inspired by what I saw. It was amazing how they were really embracing their life, even as their health, strength, friends and family were slipping away.
Making Up for Lost Time
As I decided to also embrace this time in my life, I began to remember all those things that I had always pushed aside, because there was never enough time or money! To make a long story short, I now have my fingers in so many pots that I can't figure out how to get into all the things that I really want to do. I have begun taking cake decorating and plan to go to a "desserts expo" in Las Vegas this summer. I have started selling little things here and there on eBay and have made some money too! I'm really looking forward to going to the eBay Live conference this summer, where over 10,000 people are expected to gather! I restarted taking German lessons to keep my mind sharp. I'm playing the piano almost every day and am thinking of rejoining a choir, except that I am running out of evenings to fit it in! Meanwhile I have taken up some needle work that has been sitting in the corner for more years than I can remember. And just to make sure I don't over do it, my new husband and I are planning a ten day cruise to Alaska later this year.
The Next 50 Years...
After being isolated for several years, my activities have led me to even more wonderful people and excitement than I would ever have imagined. Even though my physical condition has not improved enough to return to my job life, I have so much living to do right now that I can't hardly imagine how I can get it all in! I definitely will need another 40-50 years to get to it!
Reaching Out
There has been one very remarkable blessing that has come from all the loneliness and pain that I have suffered. Besides having time to do all kinds of fun things, I now have awareness that I am not alone. There are many, many people just like me out in the world. They too need to know they aren't forgotten or unnecessary any more. I now have the time to reach out and be there for those people, either by phone, email, letters or any number of ways to let people know that they are remembered and appreciated just by their living and being!
posted at 1:54 PM
1 Comments:
A very brave lady and I was so pleased to read on to fined that you found love again and a whole new life my friend. I am 62 this year and have an on-line open diary that I really enjoy and care for a special needs grandaughter who lives with my husband and me. Keep to all your goals in life you deserve them my friend. Annexxx
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