Reclaiming my Anniversaries

I have spoken about anniversaries before, but for those of you who are new to my journey, I will explain.  When I speak of anniversaries, I am talking about the times of the year where it is the hardest for me. Usually happens from February through July.  My body seems to remember the traumatic events of years past and my PTSD symptoms get worse.  The nightmares increase and intensify, my mood is sour, my body is jumpy.  Sometimes I won't even know why I am feeling so terrible, and then I will wonder..."where was I (X) number of years ago?  Was anything happening?"  I will then remember and relive part of my trauma.  Many combat soldiers have the same experience at the time of a particular battle, when close comrades have died.  Sights, Smells, Sounds, and Feelings flood our bodies. 

Anniversaries are usually the time of the year where you make sure that life is less stressful, because you know how hard it is going to be to relive those memories. 

And so....that is exactly why I have decided to reclaim my anniversaries.  They will still be a time of mourning the loss, but I have specifically planted new seeds around my worst events....Like this wedding that will be happening next week.  It is around the same time that I participated in the invasion of Iraq.  I want to have happy memories that come along with the sad ones.  It's ok to have different emotions. 

And so....I will reclaim some of the days.

It started small with July 5th.  That is the day that I celebrate MY independence.  It is the day that my divorce was finalized and filed with the records department at the court.  I used to cry and be sad because I thought that all of my dreams were shattered and I was left alone.

So now, I purposfully plan happy thing around my anniversaries.  I want to have something to celebrate along with my memories.....

so lets party, and know that it's ok to feel good on the days that your body tells you, you are supposed to feel mad or sad.

The House

A year ago the house I was renting flooded. 

I was already maxed out with life, school, motherhood, etc.

Living in a hotel with one bag for a month was definitely not on the agenda.

Loraine Kern from the East Valley Vet center told me about Habitat for Humanity.

I thought that Habitat was an organization that built and gave homes to needy families.

My assumptions were wrong.

Habitat is an amazing Christian based organization that likes to give

"a hand up, not a hand out"

They give lower income families the opportunity of purchasing a house from Habitat.

It seems like a win win situation all around.

Habitat partners with different organizations and businesses.

The businesses donate time and resources that can be used as a tax benefit.

Individuals and groups can come to the site and build houses and use it as a team building activity.

And me....

I get to purchase a home from habitat.

I have had so much fun over the last year getting to know other volunteers.

The build starts with a prayer and ends with happy hearts who have worked together to bring good to the community.

Habitat for Humanity is truly an amazing organization.

If you'd like to join us on a Wednesday or Saturday let me know.

(my little bear is rockin' his construction outfit, complete with belly shirt)

The boys are at home swinging a hammer.

Welcome Home.

Home Page for Habitat

Qualifications for home ownership

Volunteer Services

please click on the links if you have any further interest

Quick Update

Hello fellow readers,

I know I have neglected my blog for quite some time.  I just wanted to give you a quick update on the latest and greatest.  Well....I'm getting married in two weeks.  I have spent the last year falling in love and getting engaged, and planning a wedding, and living with PTSD, being a mother, traveling to visit my family, making new freinds and building a house...

Oh wait...did I say building a house? 

I sure did.

My dreams are coming true,

and it's so nice.

Many thanks to my faithful readers.

I turned my blogging energy elsewhere, but have noticed that I still get lots of hits to this site.

I will try to be more diligent in my efforts.

Wish me Luck...

I'm off on another Journey

Love,

Me