12 September 2019
I have graced this earth for 71 years plus 17 days not counting the months developing inside my precious mother. I gone through so many changes over those many decades; some good; some not so good. All of the changes have made me into the person I am today. I am not everyone’s pick of a perfect daughter. I certainly was not my former husband’s perfect wife. I was a struggling single mother from the time my youngest son was ten months old. I worked many long hours to make ends meet especially when there was no child support coming in or when it didn’t cover their needs. Many days I had migraine heads from the stress and long hours working and caring for my three sons. That didn’t make for an example of a perfect mother. I made many mistakes during that season of my life. Did I feel sorry for myself? I guess some days I did but it’s all water under the bridge now. I’m on the other side of that time of life.
I worked for almost 39 years for the Federal Government and I’ve been retired now for almost nine years. Life has been a rollercoaster ride for sure. When I was working, I worked hard and poured myself into each job I had. I loved working but I was not a perfect employee either. In fact, I’m perfect at anything although I guess I’ve tried to be but even that proved to be imperfect.
I thought I’d write a few of my thoughts each day, if I can, so my sons, daughters-in-love, and grandchildren can know the person I am to me. I can be real to myself because there’s no risk when no one may ever read this blog. Today is a start and we will see where it goes from here.
Edlina Fairbanks was my pen name when I was a teenager and budding writer. Not many people use a pseudo name to publish their writings any more. I am me none-the-less, Mary Everlyn Hyde Johnson.