Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Then and now

These pictures of the two of us were taken nineteen years apart. We met in 1992; when the first picture was taken I lived in Boulder and was visiting him in his San Francisco apartment. The other picture was taken last summer at Snohomish Skydiving after a jump we made together. It makes me realize that, although I still feel like that fifty-year-old version of me, I'm not there any more. I didn't have ANY gray in my hair, and Smart Guy didn't have a beard, much less a white one. I didn't wear glasses all the time like I do now, and he never went without them until he got cataract surgery. Now he could go without glasses if he didn't feel like seeing things crystal clear when driving. And I can't function without mine, whether driving or not.

It's funny how things evolve so imperceptibly you don't realize how much has changed until you compare then and now. In the first picture we didn't even live together yet, and in the second picture, those two live happily together in Bellingham. It took many years of hard work, talks and tears (mostly mine) to find the happiness that we now share. We hit some rocky shoals and turbulent waters, but today, the contentment that shapes our days could not have been imagined by those two young whippersnappers. Many of my blogging friends have been with their significant others for a lifetime. It took me many fits and starts to find the right person. I thank my lucky stars that I finally did.

I've been retired for almost four years now, and the present structure of my days simply would not allow a forty-hour-a-week job to fit in at all. It seems an impossibility to me that I accomplished so much in a week's time. That also has been an imperceptible change, once we got through the stress and strain of moving from Boulder to Bellingham. Today I worked out in my exercise class and noticed how many of the regulars are now friends of mine. Although we all came from different places, you sweat together a few times a week and before you know it, you're buddies. That's where I met my friend Judy, and we go places that our spouses are not interested in (like the opera). I am one lucky person.

My Thanksgiving will be spent with my guy, with salmon gifted to me from my fisherman friend Gene, some excellent organic delicata squash from the Farmers' Market, and a fabulous shrimp salad I'll whip up tomorrow. Our usual hangout places will be closed, giving the employees a day off, and things will start back up again on Friday. There will be no Senior Trailblazer hike, of course, and I'll sure miss it.

I am sending you, my special blogging friends, sincere wishes that your day will be filled with warmth, family, and blessings. For me, Thanksgiving 2011 gives me a chance to say THANK YOU.
:-)

28 comments:

  1. Ah ha! I'm first for once! Happy Thanksgiving D-Jan. I sure am glad to have you in my life and you know what? I like this Thanksgiving Festival. We don't do it at all in England, but I shouldn't mind a bit if we adopted it.
    So glad you've found your soul mate at last. You look back over your life so reflectively and draw us all in with your tales of joy and sadness.
    Thank you for being you and enriching my own life.

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  2. You two look happy in both pictures and that is what counts. What a blessing that you found each other! :)

    I still don't have any grey hair, but that's genetics. You two have maybe changed some, but it sounds like it's all been in a very positive way.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your sweetie! Enjoy!! :):)

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  3. The Golden Years is what they call them. And Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours D-Jan. :)

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  4. The hair and the glasses may have changed, but the significant things - the smiles remain the same.
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  5. I LOVE this. It is so much fun to see those pictures.

    P. S. I went skydiving for my first time this year. I keep dreaming about it--sooo addicting AND amazing :0)

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  6. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, and I love the comparative photos. Fabulous!

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  7. i still see the twinkle in thos eyes though...maybe the grey just brings it out a bit more...smiles...enjoy that thanksgiving...

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  8. Looking through old photos recently, I was shocked at the changes. Where's that shiny brown hair I once had? And the youthful face? But then I think about all that I achieved or experienced in those years, and I have no desire to go back. I have earned my gray hair.
    DJan, you are a wonderful blogger friend. I look forward to your posts and your comments. You have been so open about your life and all of the trials it brought you. I am so happy for your contentment.
    Have a wonderful day!

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  9. I have been married 59 years and with hardly a disagreement. They have been happy years but these past ones have been the best.
    D-Jan, enjoy your blogs and am envious of your activities. When I was younger hiking was one of my loves but today I can do very little walking.
    Have a delicious Thanksgiving and be thankful for the blessings to come.

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  10. DJan time passes very quickly. but as you point out the quality of life can be awesome. Sometimes people who have challenges in their life appreciate the great times much more because of it.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and Smart Guy!

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  11. Happy Thanksgiving! Dad and I are thankful that we found your blog! We look forward to each and every post!

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  12. It is fun to look back at photos and reminisce. You and Smart Guy met a year before my guy and I got together.

    Wishing you both a very Happy Thanksgiving.

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  13. As always you write from your heart. Have a wonderful day with your guy DJan.

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  14. You have a youthful appearance both then and now. But now you seem to glow with happiness in every photo. Your happiness is hard-won, but it is genuine and it seems to permeate everything you do. Your Thanksgiving feast sounds wonderful. Enjoy it, and know that you are a valued friend to many, both in Bellingham and in Blogland.

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  15. I just love reading the comments here. Simply wonderful! Those pics are very different; I didn't recognize either of you in the first one. lol. Ah well, such is life. The same could be said about me and David. I baked teriyaki salmon tonight at 375 degrees for 16 minutes. Excellent! Enjoy your seafood feast tomorrow! HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO BOTH OF YOU!

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  16. You have only gotten more beautiful with the passing of the years, DJan and your fella is even more distinguished looking. I love the silver in your hair. I wish mine would do something as elegantly dramatic.

    There's some saying that says what is achieved easily is not appreciated as much as something you've fought hard for. You've proven that. I'm so glad you've found such happiness.

    Happy Thanksgiving, DJan!!!

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  17. And thank you for all you share about your full, rich life that you have built with your life companion. Proof that it's worth the hard work to achieve such a rewarding relationship. The photos are great- joy shines in both. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from one whose life you enrich.

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  18. Both pictures were pictures of happiness. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in the Philippines but I still thankful for everything that I have right now and of course thankful to meet sweet friends here on blogger and one of them is you. Thank you DJan.

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  19. I'm impressed with some things in our country and this holiday is one of them. It is an optimistic country that takes a whole day to celebrate all the things we can appreciate because we are certainly vocal about the stuff we don't like--all those first amendment things.

    You look very happy in both pictures. Lookin' good. Enjoy your day.

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  20. You sure are a beautiful looking couple. Your happiness shows from within. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your love, DJan.

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  21. Happy Thanksgiving D-Jan n family. This is a very sweet post "then n now", kinda brings it all together, eh and what more would one want.
    Nice to hear that you will be sharing SALMON on this fine day - kinda like Atlantic Canada, where we catch em fresh or simply go to a fish farm :) Lots of those around here out in the freezing Bay of Fundy. I think its kinda neat being a border town, cause we get to celebrate Thanksgiving twice and then prepare for Christmas dinner. Lotsa turkey n salmon going around - we do the homemade seafood chowder too.
    Have a most relaxing one and cheers.

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  22. Happy Thanksgiving, DJan. Your way of spending the holiday sounds wonderful and restful. Enjoy!

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  23. Happy Thanksgiving, you gorgeous couple you!!!!!

    Our story is much the same, and we have been together 19.5 years...and are more blessed all the time.

    We were 2 midwesterners who both wound up in Northern California....and the rest, as they say, is history. lol

    I'm so glad to know you!!!! That's my Thanksgiving blessing!

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  24. Happy Thanksgiving! I enjoyed the photo..the smiles are still the same even though you and Smart Guy are older. You make a beautiful couple! :)

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  25. You are both good looking, then as well as now. You are fortunate to have found each other and to have worked out your differences so you are at a place of harmony during your retirement.Hope your Thanksgiving Day was even better than you planned.

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  26. Happy Thanksgiving to you too DJan! I'll be celebrating tomorrow, a couple of days late, with my family. One must adapt to local schedules! ;o)

    Better late than never, right? You found your companion later than others, but he's the right one and hopefully for many more years to come!

    hugs!

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  27. I loved seeing the photos of you two. I'd say you both have aged well. In fact, I really think you have either improved with age or from being together. You look a bit tenuous in the first photo. In the second photo, you both look sturdy, secure, and happily compatible.

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  28. I love getting to read about your special guy. As someone who took some time to find the right one, I could really relate to your journey, and to your gratitude at finally finding the right relationship.

    Sending blessings and hugs your way.

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