....how do I introduce myself with the necessary information in a reasonable length? Wellll....lets give it a try! (I come back with an apology ‘cause it DID get quite long….sorry!)

I have just turned 58. I'm mother of four, grandmother of six and wife of one. I have been a nurse since 1973. I originally went into nursing because of my fascination with the birth process and I did work in OB for a time but eventually moved to the homebirth arena (my last two children were born at home) working with nurse midwives and myself as a lay-midwife for 10 years or so.

However, my work with folks during the birth process was a catalyst for my own spiritual awakening and I eventually felt the yearning to work with people on the other end of life, in the dying process. When I first felt these yearnings, hospice was just getting started in the US. Eventually, I did have opportunity to work with hospice and did so for approximately five years. What a catalyst for personal growth that was!!

I was a single parent of the four children beginning in 1980 and as a result, did a variety of "fill-in" work in addition to nursing, such as cleaning houses and paper routes. There was a period of almost ten years that I worked 7days/week with very rare days off. Those years were very difficult...but I include them here because they were a major influence on not only who I am...but of course, on my children as well.

I was born and raised in KY and lived in the Lexington area for almost 20 years. Gradually, things got a little "easier" in some ways as the kids got older and started their lives. I was eventually able to actually have only one job.

I did not date for almost 16 years while I was raising the kids. I dated for almost two years when I met my current husband through mutual friends. We felt an immediate and deep attraction. The only problem was that he lived in Arkansas (he had a sister in Lexington). We took turns flying to KY and/or AR once a month for long weekends without missing even one month for almost two years! We then decided that we needed to make a move to a more long-term commitment. After much anguish and gut-wrenching thoughtfulness it was decided that I would make the move. While I would be leaving the kids and grandkids (he had none) it made practical sense as he was the one who had the years in one job that would result in a retirement income.

We lived together for four years and then finally married in November 2001. The two years of dating gave my kids time to get used to the idea…they were initially terrified when I got involved with someone who lived so far away…but eventually they each came to appreciate what he meant to me. They told me that I had encouraged them to lead their own lives and that it was now time for me to lead mine!

I am very, very happy and satisfied with my husband and my marriage…HOWEVER…we live in a very rural area…and I have found it difficult to make friends…for the first time ever!! I did commute into Little Rock (160+ miles) for approximately three years and that did offer social opportunity…however, for the past three years I’ve worked from home….a blessing in many ways but has brought even more isolation.

SOOOOO…..that is why just a few days ago I googled “boomer women forum community” and Ya’ll were the first several hits…..yayyyy!!

I am soooo grateful, Dotsie, for your vision and desire to create this site! I look forward to getting to know all of you!

Welcome!! I know what you mean about living in a rural community and working from home. My town has about 3500 residents. My best friends lives about an hour away and works full time, so we only see each other on special occassions or little getaways, but we talk on the phone a lot.

I'll be 51 in January, married to the same guy forever, two sons and one fat beagle. One son is married and in the army, coming home tonight for the holidays. They're bringing their new itty-bitty beagle puppy as well and I feel like I have a grandchild!
My other son is a senior in high school.

You will meet lots of wonderful women on this site, so jump right in and start posting!

Kathy

Welcome, from Vancouver, British Columbia.

Methinks there is another person from Arkansas here, cyclinggal.

welcome. you sound very interesting. i would like to get to know you better.

fascinated by the birth/death/single parent/happily married details.

Welcome Deborahance, after that introduction I feel I know you allready.
I live in a suburban area as well, work from home, so I guess we are in a similar situation. Although I live in Germany, people are pretty much the same everywhere. Actually I always thought the close knit communities in suburbia was a German thing. I'm always surprised to read that America suburbs are the same way.
We have finally found contact through golfing. This is a club country. It's really the only way to make friends. Maybe America has become that way too? Don't know.
Looking forward to seeing you around.

Deb, making online friends certainly takes away some of the loneliness of living in a small community. Friends are only a click away!

Oh Deb it is so good that you found this site. I live in the big bustling city of Las Vegas but have been here 20 years and being a transit town its difficult to make friends, still!!

I have been on this BWS site now continually since 2004 and I can say my dearest friends are right here. Some of us have met and it was magical, as if we'd known one another forever. You'll see once here for awhile.

WELCOME and A big hug!

Welcome to BWS Lisa11, tell us a bit about yourself if you'd like to.

Chatty...LISA11 was a spammer...since deleted.

Hi Deborahmce, sorry I missed this and didn't welcome you sooner.