New Blog and New Beginnings

Today is March 29, 2014 and I am starting a new blog for many reasons. One, I can't remember the password and logon credentials for my other blog. I guess that's what I get for not blogging in nearly 2 years. Secondly, I wanted to re-commit myself to writing again. Today my family said their final good-byes to perhaps the greatest woman who walked this earth, my Grandmother. The service was beautiful and very touching. I thought I knew so much already about Flora Beth Drury, but there were a few surpirses in store for me today. I feel so blessed that I had her in my life fhr the last 36 years. She loved her family I think more than life itself. Besides sports and especially BYU, she devoted her life to caring for her family. I also feel blessed that I inherited many of her talents, hobbies and personality traits. I think about the only think I didn't inherit from her is her love for numbers and math! It's the one subject that I can't stand and avoid with a 10 foot pole if I can! Just like my Grandma, I have a love for writing. So why don't I write and blog more? Well, I think some of it has to do with my fear over what to write. What can I possibly write about every day that will keep readers interested and coming back for more? I think that is one of my biggest insecurities, but after today and realizing how important it is to share your life through journaling for future generations, I am going to start journaling and blogging more. Obviously, the stuff I don't mind the rest of you reading will be on here. Other times will be in my private journal for Daniel and my family to read once I am gone, so a really long time from now.

   The last time I blogged was back in December 2011. Quite a bit has changed for me, most of the last 2 years hasn't been that great, and that's mainly why I haven't blogged. Shortly after I did my last blog entry I spent the summer of 2012 in the hospital in Utah. A total of 8 weeks on bedrest! It was quite possibly the most boring summer of my life! The summer ended on a sad note when we had to say a sudden good bye to my dear Mother in Law. Dan's mom was a shining example of love, generosity toward everyone she knew. She was like a second mother to me and I miss her dearly even still. Last March we had another devasting loss. Our sweet Corgi Cassie was taken from this earth much too soon. The details of that day still haunt me and I will save you the details. Let's just say it sent me into a tale spin of emotions. This past year has been the hardest year of my life. I don't think I would have gotten through it without the love and support of my loving husband Daniel. He along with several friends saved my life literally and figuratively this past year.   Reading posts from one of my favorite bloggers (thebloggess.com.....check Jennifer out, she has some funny stuff!) has really inspired me. She too battles with depression. However, she has found it therapeutic, I guess, to write and express her feelings through her writing. She is a much better writer than I am. She can write funny and engaging blog posts. Maybe one day soon I will be there too. For now, I just want to get into the habit of journaling on a more regular basis. So, it's not always going to be rainbows and puppies or how we scaled Denali (okay, that is probably never going to be in here) but hopefully through this blog you will begin to see and understand me a bit more. Hearing the words from my grandmother's journals today made me realize that it is the every day, mundane things that also need to be included, because it may seem boring at the time, but upon reflection those words help to provide insight. I look forward to looking back at my words in 60 years to see how much I have grown since first starting this blog. Oh, I decided to call it Rare Perspectives because it reminds me of the unique perspective I get to have on the world as someone with a disability. It's also the name of my photography business that is up and coming so keep an eye out for future blogs that talk about that!

I wrote a poem on the way out to Utah. I wrote it on the plane so it is still a little rough, but I still wanted to share it. This is a tribute to my Grandma, Flora Beth Drury

Its time to come home they say

Yet I don’t want to leave, I have 5 years

Only five and then I will find my way.

I imagine that was the bargain you wanted to make

To live to be 100 and see one or two more graduate.

Its time to go home and there you will see

Grandpa and Alan and the rest of the family.

You taught us all so well, everything we needed to know

To be honest and kind. To love without end and not show

Any ill will to all we may meet.

Grandma you loved without end all those around

I have learned so much, from watching you, I hope you see

That without you I am not sure of who any of us would be.

So go now home where you are welcomed with opened arms.

One day we will all be together for time and all eternity.

                                                            - Love, Kristie