three years

Today marks three years of being on my own. Though I am sure for some these years passed quickly, it seems a lot longer to me. I will admit that I have definitely come a long way from those first few weeks at 'Extended Stay America'. Today, sitting here in my beautiful and very peaceful home, I am living happily ever after--most of the time--and one day at a time. Here are a few things I have realized in these last three years:
1. There’s not really much that is worth stressing or obsessing over.
2. If you become friends with the guy at Jiffy Lube, you can take care of your car. David at my local Jiffy Lube knows my name, loves my license plate, and I trust him. They check the tires, all the fluids and David even changed a fuse for me the last time I was there. If you can handle putting gas in and washing it once in a while...your car will be taken care of. Amazing.
3. All bills can be paid online. Most can be automatically deducted from your account. The people at the DMV and County of Orange (as well as anyone else you owe money to) will send you a letter when it’s time to pay them. A quick visit to their website and you can pay for your car registration, property taxes or any other debt. It’s very simple.
4. There is nothing that a hot bath, a cold beer or a chat with my mom can’t make better.
5. If you find a trusted person who works at the bank and have a dear friend who can do your taxes--you'll be able to handle your money. Even better than that--they will find ways for you to save more of it and even make it grow. Incredible.
6. You really can live on cheerios, diet coke and balance bars. Easily and oh so happily.
7. If you have a friend who can fix your garbage disposal, one who can help you move furniture and one who can get you down to one remote—you’ll be fine! They gladly do the work in exchange for a home-cooked meal and you never have to worry about being taken by a repair person. And you’ll always have good company for dinner.
8. Life goes on! You DO make it through to the other side. And, though it takes a little time, and you hardly recognize it as your own...life feels normal again.
9. The people in your life are ALL that matters. My kids, my family, my friends.
10. What I have realized is...I haven't been on my own at all!
Thanks to all of you who have helped me ride out this bumpy three-year season. Thanks for being there to eat and drink, and laugh and cry, to just enjoy life and have fun! Thanks, especially, for constantly reminding me that everything is, indeed, going to be alright. I am certainly curious about the future and I truly believe that the best is still yet to be.