Yup! That’s the question for today. How strong are you? Think back throughout your life. I’ll start. I know…if you get bored eat some cake. Ha!

I had a hysterectomy at age 38. Three years later at age 41 I had brain/head surgery. I am otherwise healthy. I moved from Chicago to Boston when I was 48.

I am a professional musician so I’ve been making music in both places. I have both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Performance and Teaching. Since music doesn’t pay the mortgage I’ve worked up skills in office management. I’ve also become a Makeup Artist. And I am currently taking a Free-Lance Marketing Course.

Besides being an opera singer, I am a pianist and modest organist. I learned that along the way too. I do a lot of things not for the faint of heart. I’ve also been teaching private music for 38 years. And I am determined to finish what I start.

I retired from office work etc. in 2020 to focus only on music. Because of the Covid issues we lost our music studio. Along the way my best friend of 39 years/music bud died…2022. Life changed big time.

A year later in 2023 I had emergency back/spinal surgery. I am almost 100% recovered…still some things like an achy back here and there etc. But moving forward.

Now in present times the economy stinks so bad I had to go back to running a Church office part time for a bit…don’t know how long. My Church so I’m ok with it.

And let’s not forget the numerous failed romances I’ve endured over the years. The last one, 18 years ago, we were together for 3 years…thought we would marry…he left. I’ve all but given up but something…maybe the Spirit…won’t let me. So I keep open to this one thing I so dearly want. So I’ve been by myself for my entire adult life…I DO have a great family and bunch of friends but my intimate life has been single.

Now. I’m sure many of you have had worse times than this. Maybe many have not. But gosh darn we’ve all got some real stuff in our lives. And what happened to us? We’re still here aren’t we? Yes, we survive. We reinvent ourselves and keep going. You have to. What other choice is there? Crawling under a rock is NOT a choice folks. Oy vey!

So here I sit. I have survived a few things in my life. Ha! And how is your list going? Don’t be afraid to make one. Don’t be afraid to look back into your life over the years. It’s what builds our character. We have a new chapter in our lives every few years. Embrace that. I’ve had a few. Usually by surprise. Ha!

Life is a ride! Now it’s 2025. It’s another year and another start. Even if you have no plans to completely shift your life around try to feel a new-ness in what you are doing. And do something unique for yourself to sort of renew yourself. Something different. You can find something if you search hard enough I’m sure. I always seem to. Very often by surprise like I said.

So Happy New Year again! We’re all survivors and looking for more stuff to survive. I’m looking for a happier bunch of stuff to survive as opposed to back surgery and radiation. Ha! I’ll bet right now that my new stuff will be happier!

Here’s to us survivors…and remember…eat cake (with ice cream or whipped cream). Ha!

https://www.makingmusicwitheve.weebly.com

https://www.avon.com/repstore/eczaja