Once upon a time.....they all lived happily ever after

Once upon a time we all thought life would be like those fairy tales we loved a children.  We all dream of the day that we could grow up find our prince charming and live happily ever after.  But life is never that easy but often it is must more cherished.

Once upon  a time I had a favorite teacher, Carrie Batson, who was a wonderful teacher of business classes but more important she was a wonderful teacher of life.  You should find kindness and good in people.  You should love your children to the ends of the earth but don't forget to make yourself a life.  Upon learning of her death I was sad but realized she was so blessed to have left a legacy of happy ever after.

Once upon a time I had a two good friends, Theresa and Sheila, who both lost their Dad's soon after we finished high school.  They were devastated at their lose but were able to go on and live happily ever after.

Once upon a time I had a wonderful Dad,  Orion Lathan, who taught me a wonderful ( sometimes a curse) work ethic.  I can remember hearing him say, "....if your going to take a job be prepared to work a job"...."someone else depends on you to do that".  When Daddy lost his kidneys and had to take early retirement......he continued to live happily.....when he became unable to be cared for at home and had to go to a nursing home .......he still smiled  and never complained.......when I lost my baby all I had to do was remember what he had to face every day and I knew I have to honor him by doing "my job".   The night he died I was at peace because I knew he was with my baby and they were happy ever after.

Once upon a time I married my best friend, Jerry, and like every good fairy tale our life has had fights, struggles, cliff hangers and heartbreak.  The good times have only been made sweeter by the rough times.  He promised me standing before the preacher September 27th 1980, that we would stick together no matter what.  He promised me in a hospital April 23rd 1983 that he would love me and our baby girl forever.  He promised me standing in a hospital May 23rd 2009 that we would make it through all life has to throw at us together.  He promised me from a hospital bed December 13th 2011 that he loves me always will always has.  I know as we wait to find out when they will do his heart surgery that we are stronger together then ever.  We still have our happy ever after.

Hob my once upon a time and Jer my happy ever after.