(LEFT TO RIGHT – Me, Kathy Boecher as Pearl, behind me Crystal, next to me Christine, next to the clock our director, Viva, Sue, Elizabeth and Doreen. Missing, is Barb, who is enjoying the sun in Portugal.)

This group of lovely ladies will be reprising a show we did last October for a private group. “Which Witch is Which” will be my last performance with the Jewels of deNial. For the past five years, I’ve been involved in this fantastic group of talented women who are beyond 55. We embrace living with joy and have grown to be a support group of tightly knit friends. This choice didn’t come easy. My family will tell you that I am a big ham and love being on the stage performing.

This has been a year of change for me in so many ways. I lost my husband of 60+ years after a long battle with cancer and many other health issues. I began babysitting for my great grandson, so my granddaughter could commute several miles to her college and begin to finish up her senior year. My sister lost her husband a week before me to Alzheimer’s. Both of these men were firmly planted in their faith, so we know that they are now residing with Jesus. I continue to put my fingers to the almost worn-out keyboard and write my daily blog along with formatting another episode of the Jewels of DeNial to be presented this year. We finished that show last weekend. My grandson moved in with me in March. He grew up in Minnesota and wanted to return, and I have an upstairs that I can’t quite ascend anymore, so it seemed a good solution to have him live with me. Together, we take care of each other. He is a gentle and kind young man, who has compassion and sincere concern for this old lady.

Add to this, a huge garage sale at my daughter’s house, which was pretty much rained out, but we managed to get rid of a few things. There continues to be the matter of a household full of fabulous artwork. Paul has been honored at a couple gallery shows and I keep finding pieces that I’ve never seen before. He lives on through his amazing talent.

So, anyway, the year isn’t quite over, but I’m slowly winding down. I turned 83 this year and realize that my body isn’t going to keep up with my desire to push as hard as I did in my forties. I will definitely miss this group, but I will still continue to participate as their script writer and enjoy their fellowship at weekly meetings and rehearsals. There is nothing like good friends to get you through the challenges of life. I am indeed blessed by many. I can honestly say, “Thank you, Jesus for another day.”