I’ve learned that Reasonable Happiness is attainable.
My success rate with surviving crappy days is 100%
Who is Terri?
I am a nobody, and an everybody all at the same time. There is nothing about me that stands out as being extraordinary, I haven’t won any prizes, I’m not rich, or famous. I have been everything from average to fat but never skinny, though I’d like to try that! No PhD, just a BA in English. I try to do what is right; I often fail.
I have raised two of the most handsome men in the world, each has given me a beautiful daughter-in-law. I am Gigi to a gorgeous little girl that just melts my heart every time I look at her. I was divorced after 20 years of marriage. I still believe in love, and proved it by marrying my college buddy, Randy, in 2018.
I’ve learned not to take myself too seriously. I am an ordinary woman who was thrust into extraordinary circumstances. I’ll go into that all more later but trust me, I’ve seen more plot twists than a made-for-Lifetime movie. I felt like giving up plenty of times but am now glad that I didn’t. Life has seasoned me to be just who I am now, and can say that I like me!
It is important to be silly, and not forget how to play
Don’t be afraid to let your imperfections shine, you never know who might be relieved to discover they aren’t alone.
D.I.V.A.
Divinely Inspired Victorious Allies. I am a self-proclaimed Diva, but I am not alone. Over the past few years I have been blessed by a community of Divas who are some of the most beautiful, fabulously strong women I’ve ever known. We are not high maintenance, or demanding; quite the opposite. It started as a joke and has blossomed. It hasn’t always been this way. It had been a long time since I had a group of real girlfriends, probably not since college. I’ve always been hyper social, but rarely let people get very close.
It isn’t uncommon for women to find themselves without community. We are hard-wired to take care of those around us. Once we marry, raise children, manage homes and careers, there is little left over for ourselves, let alone energy to nurture friendships. The danger in this is when (not if) the bottom falls out, we are more vulnerable. It may be in the loss of a loved one, a job or a significant relationship, a child in trouble, illness, so many things that can threaten our delicate existence.
When my life imploded in 2012 and the dust started to settle, I realized I was not only lonely, but very much alone. I was fortunate enough to attend a church that offered Celebrate Recovery for anyone with “hurts, habits, or hang-ups”. I was at the end of my rope so I went. What I found there was more than tools to manage my broken world. I found my Divas.
Divas talk, laugh, cry, support. We give accountability and accept one another where we are at that moment in our journey. Most have been through so much pain, it feels good to be silly sometimes, and that’s why the tiaras occasionally come out. I have given many as gifts, and wear mine whenever I can get away with it.
This blog is dedicated to the Divas of all ages and walks of life. Enter with grace, and don’t be afraid to be transparent. We grow better when we grow together.