Instead of the average 9/11 post, I'm trying to do something
a little more positive. 9/11 hit incredibly close to home for me, since I'd been on Flight 76 (the LAX to IAD--Washington Dulles) flight the night before and at the time, I lived within spitting distance of the Pentagon. Anyway...I thought I'd do a 5 years on post with maybe a little positivity.
5 year changes. What has changed in my life since Sept. 2001
I got married!
Mark and I married in Nov,2001. I've learned so much about love and commitment, about the good times and the bad, of sacrifice and breaking the habit of self-sabotage in these last 5 years. Moreover, Mark emphasizes to me every day that I am a desirable woman. After all the *second best* I'd been, you have no idea how valuable my partership and marriage are. We have most DEFINITELY had our share of the good and the bad, and I've finally found a man who is a real man of character and commmitment.
I have a wonderful sister in law!
My brother got married in 2004! His wife, Jen, is as as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I always wanted a sister and now I have one! If you weren't so sweet, Jen, the green-eyed monster could take hold ;)
I "found" my career.
This was HUGE! I'd been working doing things that I wasn't passionate about for far too damn long! In '02, I started editing and in early '03 joined my present company. I also had the pleasure to be involved with some charity work, which was immensely informative.
My second female cousin was born.
Meg was born in 2004! I have yet to meet her, but she looks adorable from her pictures.
I became a stepmom!
This goes along with the whole marriage thing! It hasn't always been perfect or ideal, but I care deeply for my 4 step-children and can't wait until November when David, the eldest, and his wife Erin come to visit.
My household grew by leaps and bounds.
I went from 2 cats to 7 cats in 5 years, including two who were imported from Australia.
I'm down almost 70 pounds from my highest weight in 2001.
I was looking at some pictures of my Australia trip in June 2001 yesterday, and I never really comprehended just how large I was then! It was a real eye-opening moment yesterday when the veil came off and I truly saw myself for who I was then physically. Since puberty (which began at the ripe old age of 8), I've had weight issues. I have never been successful at losing weight before but now I lose at least a pound a week on average.
I live in a house now.
Don't laugh! Since I went away to college until 2004, I had lived in apartments. In '04 a flood messed up our apartment and we moved to a wondeful townhouse. That didn't work out but by some miracle we were able to find this townhouse, same floor plan and same development, just two streets away from the first townhome. We've been here almost 2 years and have extended our lease by 3 more years. We're seriously considering buying this place at the end of the lease.
I've faced down my biggest fear this year.
In the last six months, I've had two cancer scares,melanoma on the back of my eye, and breast cancer. My dad died in 1989 of multi-systemic cancer at the age of 45 and my mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer when she was barely over 40. So many members of my family have died of cancer that it is shocking...very rarely does a family member die at an advanced age. And something I've worried about for many years. 5 generations on my maternal side have battled breast cancer and for all except Mom, the cancer has won.
I made peace with myself some time ago and always sort of wondered how I'd cope with a cancer scare. Two in the same year seemedincomprehensible. But it happened and I'm living proof that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I had to radically change a few of my habits, as per eye doc's orders, but I'm okay and I coped a lot better than I ever thought I could.
I got to share something very special with Mark.
No not that LOL! This past year, I've gotten to share one of my old passions with Mark and he got to meet some friends from that period of my life.
I've reconnected with old friends!
Getting back in touch with Ange and Cris has been incredible :) You guys knew the old me and I'm so glad to show you the new me! And Cris, if you're reading, do I EVER have some pictures for you!
And how can I forget reconnecting with my guys. You held my hand through the darkness and taught me SO much!
Giving thanks
As well as reconnecting with old friends, I had the chance to give thanks to some VERY significant people in my life. When we're wrapped up in our 'stuff', it is so easy to lose what brings you together. David and Karen in particular were my lifeline when my Dad was dying. Funnily enough, David used to date my mother many years ago. I had always appreciated their friendship and support in those dark days, but I'd never told them just how much their friendship meant to me. I was able to write a letter a few years ago and get it delivered to them. They're still so close to my heart.
In the last five years, I've also been able to thank C., K. G. and R. They'll never know just how much they meant to me. Or maybe they will...it has been a great many years since our paths have crossed, but age has deepened the sweetness of our friendship.
And Paula...I can't WAIT to see you again, my friend!
And Denise (and Dave!) thank you for your nearly instant friendship. You offered support when I was at my most worried.
And C. ...who went from an actor on a tv show to a friend. I was so happy to have been involved in your F.C. You made my "non-honeymoon" full of laughter and fun. May the light always show you and your beautiful wife the way. Mark and I couldn't think of a better way to spend our honeymoon weeken...errr...scratch that!
And with that, thanks to A. for being the trailblazer. Girl, success will greet you at every turn. I am so happy for you!
And I can't forget J. and S. Twenty-five years I had to wait for it but it was so wonderful and so sweet.Thank you! Thank you so much for making it happen! You were VERY missed! J. when you met my eyes for the first time in 13 yrs. it was like old times....with a difference...Mark. I'm so glad you two were in the same space.
I have two happily married step-children!
David and Erin were married earlier this year and Deborah and HER David (yes, we have a wealth of Davids in the family. There's my dad, my step-dad, my brother, my step-son and my step-son-in law. All new Davids have to change their name at the door ;) were married in 2004.
Life is good. Physically, I've never felt better. Emotionally, I have never felt more grounded. As September 10th fades into September 11th, I feel so blessed to be here typing this post. Not everyone has that luxury.
In the spirit of spreading the positivity and honoring those we lost, I challenge you to do a positive post about your life, 5 years after the event that changed all of our lives.
Thanks for reading!
Briana
5 year changes. What has changed in my life since Sept. 2001
I got married!
Mark and I married in Nov,2001. I've learned so much about love and commitment, about the good times and the bad, of sacrifice and breaking the habit of self-sabotage in these last 5 years. Moreover, Mark emphasizes to me every day that I am a desirable woman. After all the *second best* I'd been, you have no idea how valuable my partership and marriage are. We have most DEFINITELY had our share of the good and the bad, and I've finally found a man who is a real man of character and commmitment.
I have a wonderful sister in law!
My brother got married in 2004! His wife, Jen, is as as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I always wanted a sister and now I have one! If you weren't so sweet, Jen, the green-eyed monster could take hold ;)
I "found" my career.
This was HUGE! I'd been working doing things that I wasn't passionate about for far too damn long! In '02, I started editing and in early '03 joined my present company. I also had the pleasure to be involved with some charity work, which was immensely informative.
My second female cousin was born.
Meg was born in 2004! I have yet to meet her, but she looks adorable from her pictures.
I became a stepmom!
This goes along with the whole marriage thing! It hasn't always been perfect or ideal, but I care deeply for my 4 step-children and can't wait until November when David, the eldest, and his wife Erin come to visit.
My household grew by leaps and bounds.
I went from 2 cats to 7 cats in 5 years, including two who were imported from Australia.
I'm down almost 70 pounds from my highest weight in 2001.
I was looking at some pictures of my Australia trip in June 2001 yesterday, and I never really comprehended just how large I was then! It was a real eye-opening moment yesterday when the veil came off and I truly saw myself for who I was then physically. Since puberty (which began at the ripe old age of 8), I've had weight issues. I have never been successful at losing weight before but now I lose at least a pound a week on average.
I live in a house now.
Don't laugh! Since I went away to college until 2004, I had lived in apartments. In '04 a flood messed up our apartment and we moved to a wondeful townhouse. That didn't work out but by some miracle we were able to find this townhouse, same floor plan and same development, just two streets away from the first townhome. We've been here almost 2 years and have extended our lease by 3 more years. We're seriously considering buying this place at the end of the lease.
I've faced down my biggest fear this year.
In the last six months, I've had two cancer scares,melanoma on the back of my eye, and breast cancer. My dad died in 1989 of multi-systemic cancer at the age of 45 and my mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer when she was barely over 40. So many members of my family have died of cancer that it is shocking...very rarely does a family member die at an advanced age. And something I've worried about for many years. 5 generations on my maternal side have battled breast cancer and for all except Mom, the cancer has won.
I made peace with myself some time ago and always sort of wondered how I'd cope with a cancer scare. Two in the same year seemedincomprehensible. But it happened and I'm living proof that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I had to radically change a few of my habits, as per eye doc's orders, but I'm okay and I coped a lot better than I ever thought I could.
I got to share something very special with Mark.
No not that LOL! This past year, I've gotten to share one of my old passions with Mark and he got to meet some friends from that period of my life.
I've reconnected with old friends!
Getting back in touch with Ange and Cris has been incredible :) You guys knew the old me and I'm so glad to show you the new me! And Cris, if you're reading, do I EVER have some pictures for you!
And how can I forget reconnecting with my guys. You held my hand through the darkness and taught me SO much!
Giving thanks
As well as reconnecting with old friends, I had the chance to give thanks to some VERY significant people in my life. When we're wrapped up in our 'stuff', it is so easy to lose what brings you together. David and Karen in particular were my lifeline when my Dad was dying. Funnily enough, David used to date my mother many years ago. I had always appreciated their friendship and support in those dark days, but I'd never told them just how much their friendship meant to me. I was able to write a letter a few years ago and get it delivered to them. They're still so close to my heart.
In the last five years, I've also been able to thank C., K. G. and R. They'll never know just how much they meant to me. Or maybe they will...it has been a great many years since our paths have crossed, but age has deepened the sweetness of our friendship.
And Paula...I can't WAIT to see you again, my friend!
And Denise (and Dave!) thank you for your nearly instant friendship. You offered support when I was at my most worried.
And C. ...who went from an actor on a tv show to a friend. I was so happy to have been involved in your F.C. You made my "non-honeymoon" full of laughter and fun. May the light always show you and your beautiful wife the way. Mark and I couldn't think of a better way to spend our honeymoon weeken...errr...scratch that!
And with that, thanks to A. for being the trailblazer. Girl, success will greet you at every turn. I am so happy for you!
And I can't forget J. and S. Twenty-five years I had to wait for it but it was so wonderful and so sweet.Thank you! Thank you so much for making it happen! You were VERY missed! J. when you met my eyes for the first time in 13 yrs. it was like old times....with a difference...Mark. I'm so glad you two were in the same space.
I have two happily married step-children!
David and Erin were married earlier this year and Deborah and HER David (yes, we have a wealth of Davids in the family. There's my dad, my step-dad, my brother, my step-son and my step-son-in law. All new Davids have to change their name at the door ;) were married in 2004.
Life is good. Physically, I've never felt better. Emotionally, I have never felt more grounded. As September 10th fades into September 11th, I feel so blessed to be here typing this post. Not everyone has that luxury.
In the spirit of spreading the positivity and honoring those we lost, I challenge you to do a positive post about your life, 5 years after the event that changed all of our lives.
Thanks for reading!
Briana
posted by Breezy at 7:44 PM
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