... Wait Training

Surely we can't be the only ones who have loved, lost, prayed, and persevered through difficult times.  This space is created as a sounding board where we can reflect, respond, and remember the best loves in our lives.  Love.  We give it; we receive it, and that's all we can really do.  Our "why" if you will, is to connect with people through our personal experiences, and encourage individuals to share their own stories- creating a ripple effect of self-expression, connection, comfort, and healing.  Sometimes the hardest part of being a human being is the "being" part.  Taking time to be still and reflect on what you're going through is more challenging than the busy act of living life itself.  The blog name comes from the writers' attributes. Kara and Roxy, both of whom are active individuals: teachers/wives/mothers/fitness trainers/and writers at heart.  We are impatiently waiting for life's progress at times, but constantly training ourselves to improve in this department.  Join us on our journey.  Welcome to... 

"...Wait Training" 

I saw your post on Facebook and wanted to share my story of gratitude. About 1 1/2 years ago my life as I knew it was shattered. My then husband of almost 24 years told me he was having an affair and moved out that night.  It was about one week before we were supposed to vacation in the Bahamas with friends. I pleaded with him to still go to the Bahamas so we could have time together and try to reconnect. He declined. I still went and this brings me to one aspect of my gratitude; friends. Time in the Bahamas with two other couples we had been friends with for years, turned out to be very healing for me. I cried, I laughed, and I returned from that trip a little more ready to face the reality that my marriage was ending.  My husband did not want to stop his affair so I started divorce proceedings.

In the following months, the support of so many friends lifted me up out of the depths of despair and I began to believe that I was going to be okay, maybe even better  than I had been in years. The support of my friends has meant the world to me through this journey. 

The love and support of friends was and continues to be a huge blessing in my life, but there’s so much more. The love and support of my family has truly gotten me through some dark times. My 2 sons, in their 20’s, went through this darkness as well. I have tried to be there for them, but they will likely never know how the immeasurable love I have for them, and them for me, has helped me rise through the depths of despair. Unfortunately, they witnessed me hysterical with sadness, but they got me to breathe again, to realize I am loved and I am strong. My hope that showing them I can not only get through this, but thrive as a result, has given me the courage and desire to forge ahead. I hope it serves as strength for them as they go through difficulties that are inevitable in life.


In addition to my friends and my 2 sons, I am so very thankful for my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. Upon the encouragement of my boys to move closer to my family, I retired from my job as a school psychologist in Michigan and moved to a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. With the love and support of so much family nearby, I have gained strength and confidence in knowing that I am worthy of so much happiness. I have learned that, most importantly, I must learn to be happy with myself. At times when I have wanted to wallow in self-pity and close myself off to the world, my family brings me back into the light of love and happiness.  Like any family, sometimes we disagree, but our love for each other is undying. I am beyond grateful for them all. I only wish my sister Sandy could be with us; she passed away from cancer 2 years ago. She is always with us in spirit though.
Another blessing in my life has been yoga. I have been working for the last year towards yoga instructor certification. Yoga is so much more than I realized it was before starting this journey towards becoming a true yogi. My fellow yogi classmates and I have forged a bond that will likely extend way beyond our certification. The focus on peace, love and happiness as well as lifelong growth in these and many other areas, has enriched my life greatly. Yoga, in some form, will forever be part of my life.

Friends, my two sons (and their wonderful girlfriends), family and yoga are all blessings in my life I am so very grateful for. My dog, Lulu, has been a loyal and loving companion to me throughout this journey as well and I am so thankful for her.

Lastly, I must give praise to God for helping me through dark times and showing me that when one door closes, another always opens. I have relied heavily on my faith in Him, more than ever in the past two years. I know He is always there to help me through very difficult times and He has a plan for me. Although sometimes I don’t understand why certain things happen, good or bad, my faith will always be there.
Yes, life has thrown me some curveballs but the many blessings in my life; my friends, sons (and their girlfriends), family, yoga, my dog and God, are what get me through and make me stronger. For that, I am truly grateful.