I even went so far as to look up the definition of the word failure

 What was the Greatest Mistake You Ever Made???

I’ve searched long and hard for this one, (A Contest)  I mean how do you define your greatest mistake after you’ve spent 75 years on this planet??

 I even went so far as to look up the definition of the word mistake:

1.       An error or fault resulting from defective judgment, deficient knowledge, or carelessness

2.       A misconception or misunderstanding

3.       To understand wrongly; misinterpret: mistook my politeness for friendliness

4.       To recognize or identify incorrectly: He mistook her for her sister

So after much thought I would say that I’ve made a ton of mistakes and most all of them lead me to a better place because each one taught valuable lessons.

 I would say that the biggest mistake I ever made was marrying a man that would leave me when I was diagnosed with Systemic  Lupus because he could not stand to stay and watch me die.  (His words) That was 40 years ago…  (I could write an entire book about this experience and how I manage to still live with it) I am very proud to say that I never went on disability, thank God because that would have crippled me for life.

My  biggest mistake was a mistake of judgment ( I married a man that I believed to be a man of character) and that mistake put  me and my 3 sons into a Shit Storm for 5 years. (Another book… trust me some of the things  we went through could not have been made up)    

We went from being very comfortable folks, full time help, beautiful home, country clubs you name it to barely being able to come up with enough money to eat… yes when he left he promised to support us but I was suppose to die quickly!!!   I was so mad that I decided I would out live him no matter what it took and although I have forgiven him I still plan to out  live him. (In fact my goal is 100 un less he lives longer)

This  mistake cost great pain to my sons and to me – watching your children suffer is maybe one of the most painful things we are ever asked to endure. (Another book, a sad book but a it would have a happy ending)

I went from full time help caring for me and my family in our 6000 sq ft home  to working in a factory and I went there in my mink coat. (LOL) Thank God for all my jewelry which I sold as needed and was grateful that I had so much of it. I had a very wealthy very loving father-in-law but I refused to take money from him. I will not lie and say knowing that he was there was not always a comfort but I never took money from him. Love and support yes, money no.

I learned what it was like to have to say “We can’t afford that kids”  and I learned that I never want to have to say that again…. Ever….. I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor… I’ll take rich any day of the week over poor… it doesn’t necessarily make you happy to be rich but it sure gives you a lot of options…. 

Had I never made this mistake I would have never gotten into real estate, I would have never known the feeling of being a financially independent woman and most of all I would have never meet the most amazing man in the world “Rich Witt”… 32 years later I still thank God for him every day of my life. He is still my very best friend and I totally adore him so thanks to “RC” I share my life with Rich.  I also got three amazing sons from this big mistake. I call them “SUNS”… because when they are near their light shines  brighter than any Sun in the shy and their beauty and warmth engulf me.  How blessed am I and now I have 4 amazing Grandchildren.  All of which I would not have had if I had not made this mistake.

My sons paid the greatest price for my mistake but after the first 5 years they never had another financial problem, all went to college on Mom one went to Medical school on Mom and all are financially successful, kind men of character. They are good fathers and loving husbands that would never leave their wives because they know from experience  the pain that divorce causes to all members of the family.

So did I make a mistake in marrying “RC”… yes… Was it the biggest and best mistake I ever made… yes… Did it teach me volumes and lead me onto paths that I would have never taken were it not for a mistake in character judgement…. Yes…. And I thank God for giving me the spirit to fight and endure all that I had to endure the seemingly impossible times which made it possible for me to eventually  live and appreciate the beautiful awesome life that I live today!

With this mistake I proved this to myself:  "When the going gets tough the tough must get going".

Happy Day!