New Year’s Eve in Venice – 2002

I spent Christmas in Rome the year 2001 to bring in 2002 with my daughter and her was then fiancée. It was a terrific time for me it really was. We went to Venice two days before New Year’s Day. It is a beautiful, old, dirty city. Yes, it was dirty, but you either love it or dislike it. I loved it. It is old and full of stories. Love stories. Well on New Year’s Day we strolled around took naps and enjoyed. When it was time we Read More

AAA – Angels All Around

Janet Reynolds
Janet Reynolds

I was happily listening to an audio tape while driving to work recently when suddenly I heard an unexpected “pop.” I must have driven over something, as it made a loud noise. I turned the audio down to listen for any other indication of trouble. A truck was passing by, so I figured that was where the noise had come from. But as the truck passed, the noise remained and it was then I realized Read More

Reflecting on Positive Growing Pains

When I moved here to Florida I registered my daughter to the Academy of Holy Names, which was a 40-minute drive from our home. Every day of my life I would get up and drive that child to school at 7:00 am and then I would have to pick her up at 5pm. I was able to leave her in the after school program so I didn’t pick her up time 4:30 or 5:00. I would have to leave work everyday in time to get her, take her home, and then I would have to go back to work. This went on for quite a while because I was building a business and I could not afford to put her on a school bus.  It’s not that I minded taking her, after all she was my child but it sure got to be a pain. So when Maiteland was in the 6th grade I inquired about the school bus just bring her home in the afternoon. I was told it would cost me $950 one way. There were two good things about this. One being it dropped her off at the end of our street and second Kathryn; my live in at the time could walk down and meet her. I was ecstatic. I could afford that and she would be safe. I was so grateful for not having to pick her up in the afternoon. I loved it. My daughter didn’t like it because she loved having me right next to her all the time. When she was 16 I bought her a car and was able to afford the car payments, which was another thing that I cheered about. She did not like that either. She is the only child I know that did not want to drive. This took most of the responsibility off of me and I was ever so grateful.

 

My Will and My Self-Esteem

Having been tired of my life and the way it was going in Washington, D.C. I left there and came to Tampa, Florida. Here 23 years I have grown leaps and bounds. It took a lot of courage to leave my hometown and come to Florida but I did it and I have never been sorry. I have created and developed in so many ways since 1981 that it is hard to realize that so much time has gone by so fast. I swore when I came here that no one would ever interfere with my life or my daughters. I have stuck to that promise and the life that I have experienced from that one decision has been exciting and very rewarding. Rewarding to where I raised my daughter, built a business, and grew in spirituality. I can honestly say that I have loved every up and down moment that it has presented to me. My choices might not have been the best or the easiest but they have taught me everything that I know today. I have learned that no decision is wrong that we do what we have to at the time. I also have learned that we contracted with God to experience our life. I’m sure there is more for me to learn and I quite sure that my self-esteem will indeed go through more lessons, but I am ok with all of that. I’m quite grateful for what I have and I hope to continue on my journey with more love and ease then the past.