My life today

I am what is known as "middle-aged." I have 54 years. If this is the middle, then I should live to be 108. Looking back, life is a breath. Looking forward, life is a mystery.

I am married to John Morris Tobin, almost 10 years my senior, for 11 years. I was married before for 23 years and gave birth, one at a time, to seven amazing human beings. I have two sisters (one has been gone from here for 33 years) and one brother. My mother died at age 80 six months ago, after 60 years of marriage to my father. He remarried last month. I plan to talk about these people individually in my meanderings. I realize that each one has their own story from their own perspective, but they are also part of my story.

I am a registered nurse and work Mon-Fri as a Case Manager at Bayshore Medical Center in Pasadena, about 20 easy miles from my home in Baytown. I like to crochet, do jigsaw puzzles, and walk in 10k's, sometimes. I have had a lot of other hobbies through my life, but this is mostly it, now. I like to stay connected with my children and a few others on facebook, and watch a good movie now and then. I also love to plant seeds and plants in the spring and watch how they grow.

I am a Christian. Johnny and I have been attending St Mark's Methodist Church since January although we are still members of Alliance Bible Church where we have been going since 2002. I have been singing in the choir and enjoying the many opportunities at St. Mark's, and really appreciating the richness of traditional worship.

Mostly, my days are happy and positive. I try to look for the good even in the midst of the trials that come. I have done good things, but I have also made choices that have hurt others. I have learned that it is important to keep seeking truth and to hold on to hope.