We Look So Happy
@BelleStarr (61047)
United States
June 26, 2017 7:07am CST
I just wanted to share this picture of me and my husband Al. it was the year 2010 and we were on Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda. We had traveled on a cruise there in April with our good friends Jeff and Cindy. Jeff just posted this picture on Facebook. I love it but seeing how happy we looked made me think about the time it took place.
In April 2010 I didn't realize that I would lose my job in June 2010 and go into early retirement with no income. Al had not been diagnosed with Parkinson's and forced out of his job and out onto disability. We were happy, we had no idea all the anxiety and stress that would be hitting us in just a few months.
Looking back, it is wonderful to see how happy we were and again how happy we are now in spite of all the trials and tribulations that we have gone through in the ensuing years. We have come out the other side.
Have you been through a baptism of fire in your life? Did you come out and find new happiness in your life?
44 people like this
40 responses
@popciclecold (35514)
• United States
26 Jun 17
Still in the fire. I lost my job. Husband in nursing home. I work, but my life has really changed.
6 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 17
I am so sorry, I do know what you are going through. While hubs isn't in a nursing home, I had to put my mom in 5 years ago and sell her house, it traumatized me. I hope that you get to see the light at the end of the tunnel soon.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (35514)
• United States
26 Jun 17
@Kandae11 That's all I can do. Thanks.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
26 Jun 17
I can almost smell the salt air! Life isn't easy, we all go through things at some point in time. I have had two lives - not due to medical issues - but due to marrying two different types of men! The last 18 with the current husband is happiness.
6 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
I am glad that you found happiness, it makes life so much more bearable. I have learned to just love where I am today and not think too much about tomorrow.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Jun 17
@AbbyGreenhill I agree with you on that, we are at a very good place and I hope it stays here for quite some time.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
27 Jun 17
@BelleStarr If today lasted forever it would be good.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157710)
• United States
26 Jun 17
Yes, more than once. People can be so resilient. I hope you continue to find the sunshine at the other end of the tunnel.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
Yes, I know that you did and it was a life changing moment in your life. Love does change everything.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
Once you have been through Hell and survived, the everyday stuff since insignificant. We had a rough time but we are happy and smiling again, well not Al he just had those two pesky teeth pulled and he isn't smiling but I am lol
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326351)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jun 17
@BelleStarr As they say, don't sweat the small stuff. 
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 17
We were, it has been a tough 7 years in some ways with health and with my mom but we have lots of joy with Jack our 5-year-old youngest grandson.
5 people like this
@popciclecold (35514)
• United States
26 Jun 17
@BelleStarr I am happy to hear things are better for you.
2 people like this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
28 Jun 17
@BelleStarr We can always count on Him.1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
Yes, I agree, it was a rough 7 years but God was always with us, and wee never despaired.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130216)
• India
27 Jun 17
One is blessed when one is happy despite everything. You are blessed.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
Thank you, I think so too!! Our faith pulled us through.
2 people like this
@rebelann (111310)
• El Paso, Texas
26 Jun 17
I'm afraid I've never been to NC @BelleStarr but I did think it was a colder state. I wish I had traveled the country more when I was younger.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
@rebelann Well I have never been to El Paso, I have been to Texas but not that far west. I was just trying to make the location of Bermuda relative to the continental US, many people think it is in the Caribbean and actually it is just out in the Atlantic. A pretty short hop for us here in New England.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 17
Not in April, it was gorgeous. Bermuda is about the same latitude as North Carolina
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48489)
• Canada
26 Jun 17
You both look so happy here.
For us the "bad" year was 2012, the year that both of our workplaces closed down.
We found that once you hit that big 5-0 you don't appear as the most likely candidate to land a job within a few days like we did in our younger years.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
My daughter and I were just discussing that. She said I could have found another job easily, well I am smart and have good experience but I was 60 years old and my mother was 95 and taking quite a lot of my time, I needed an employer who was flexible and that wouldn't be easy to find plus the thought of retraining was just more than I wanted to face.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49157)
• United States
26 Jun 17
That is a lovely photo. My grandpa had Parkinson's too. Does your husband's treatment for it do well for him?
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 17
Yes it does, so far he does not have tremors and he can still do pretty much everything he has always done. Sometimes it is hard to tell if it is aging or Parkinsons in all honesty.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49157)
• United States
27 Jun 17
@BelleStarr that's awesome to hear. The medical field has advanced a lot.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
26 Jun 17
Thsts a very nice picture. And glad you are happy again
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 17
What was most telling to me was my daughter jokingly asking me what that thing was on the lower half of my face, she meant my smile. Yes it has been a hard time but I am smiling again.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
Thank you Gabby, from your mouth to God's ears!!
1 person likes this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
28 Jun 17
@BelleStarr Believe that God always listens. Your firm belief is what makes things happen. God Bless!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
27 Jun 17
Yes I have back in 2008 my life got turned upside down. But now I am happy how things has turned out.
That is a really good photo.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
Thanks you, I think it may be one of my favorite pictures of us of all time, I just wish we were holding hands which we usually do but I have my camera in my hand.
@celticeagle (159604)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Jun 17
So nice that you had a nice trip before all of this happened to you.
Back in 2006 I took an early retirement due to family issues. In 2010 my daughter had a bad manic phase and went off her meds(and my grandson's) for four months. I moved out with my then pregnant granddaughter and got an apartment. Then my daughter came and begged me to come back and help her to raise my grandson. I did so. Got them both back on meds and had her sign a contract that outlined what her manic phases do to her family. It was a hair raising time. Comparatively we are doing great now days.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159604)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Jun 17
@BelleStarr ......Oh Posh! 
I just love my kids. Daughter, grand kids and great grand kids. I'm going to be great grandmom for the third time in mid July.
I just love my kids. Daughter, grand kids and great grand kids. I'm going to be great grandmom for the third time in mid July.1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Jun 17
@celticeagle Congratulations, we have 3 great grandsons so we understand the family thing.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
I am so glad that you were able to help them get their lives back on track. You are a wonderful mother!!
1 person likes this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
28 Jun 17
So glad that you have come out the other side--these kinds of life events can make us miserable, but they can open new doors as well sometimes--you seem as though you are happy again
1 person likes this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
28 Jun 17
@BelleStarr We are moving in that direction slowly as well--My teaching schedule is beginning to lighten and my husband retired from teaching school several years ado, although he is still about 1/2 time as a church organist and choir director. We need to finish paying off some bills before we retire--so I am hoping the timing all works--I am so glad that you are enjoying your retirement. There are so many things I want to do and places I want to go--keep us up on all the things you do and places you go--
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Jun 17
It took a while to get used to retirement and actually we are loving it once we started to get our pensions and SS.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
28 Jun 17
y'all look great! i'm so glad yer friend posted such 's 't times we need that gentle reminder 'f how far we've come. i'm still strivin' fer some sense 'f normalcy, but'm happy 't how far i've come to beat the odds.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Jun 17
It seemed like it would go on forever but most of the trials are behind us, Of course with Parkinson's we know we will have to face some tough times but hopefully not for years.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
28 Jun 17
@BelleStarr i so hope they find a cure fer such 'n soon, hon. enjoy the times y'ave got, makin' 's many memories 's possible. big hugs!
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
26 Jun 17
It is a lovely photo of you both... and i'm sorry you've been thru soooo Much since then...But i'm glad you are able to smile again now, yes I've been thru a couple of hard times... but all is good now...
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
I am so glad it is good for you, yes we can smile again.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
@cacay1 We exercise 4-5 days a week for an hour each time and try to eat as much clean food as possible.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 17
It is indeed and we can either let it defeat us or we can make it the best we can, we have chosen the later.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83220)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
27 Jun 17
@BelleStarr That is good you chose to remain positive and hopeful and do the best you can to remain strong and fit.
1 person likes this
