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Major Personal Happy & Sad During The Past 10 Years | Mixed Emotions

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Services for Real Estate Pros with RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired 104763

2009…This was the first full year after selling my home and moving in with my mother who had early stage dementia, at the time.

2010…Many renovations were made on the exterior of the home. I attempted to begin interior renovations, but that was too difficult. My mother wanted to make continual conversation with the workers!

2011…My mother’s dementia progressed and life was beginning to be challenging at home.  It’s a horrible disease.

2012… This was the year that my son-in law, a Deputy Sheriff in Norfolk County, was killed in the line of duty. The details are horrible so we’ll leave it at that.

2013…This was the year I made the decision to get healthy for myself and my family.  July 3rd 2013 was surgery. July 8th was the day my mother fell, and the ambulance was called to bring her to the hospital.  She never returned home.

This was the year my mother was admitted to the Nursing Home in the next town, and she continues to reside there.  Her dementia is very bad now at the age of 97. She does not know any of us.

2014… was the year my grandson graduated from high school and decided he would go to the police academy. He has a degree now. He graduated from the police academy and the sheriff’s academy and is a Deputy Sheriff at the County Prison.

2015…My granddaughter and husband announced they were having their first baby.  Let the fun begin with my soon to be first great grandson.

This was the first year that I hired a trainer at the YMCA and decided to go full force and learn strength training. To this day, I’m still at the gym every day and progressing with my training.

2016…. Caleb, my great grandson was born in June.  

My Grandson, Joshua, graduated from high school and was on a full scholarship at Endicott College, majoring in Criminal Justice. Another one in the family…..

2017….This was the first year I began introducing women to strength training who were weight loss patients and preparing for surgery. To this day, I continue to do that with pre and post- surgical men and women.

2018… This is the first year that I was invited to speak to pre-surgical weight loss patients at the exercise skills class at the hospital. I also offer to meet them at the YMCA and give them a good introduction to working out.

My second great grandson was born in May of 2018. His name is Gianni, and he’s the first son of my grandson who is a Deputy Sheriff. I have a feeling there will be many more family members participating in criminal justice as a profession.

2019…This year has been a busy one with marketing and continuing to volunteer at the hospital. I’ve recently been asked to speak at the senior center in Franklin at their weight loss program, and my first event will be next month.

My younger grandson graduated from Endicott College with a degree in Criminal Justice in May of this year.

The past 10 years have been a roller coaster with my personal life, but we’re a close family and certainly an expanding one!!! They all keep me busy and young(ish!!)

************************************************** 

Contest for the month of July by Jeff Dowler, CRS 

Posted by

 

 

Barbara Todaro, Great Grandmother to Caleb, Santino, Aiden and Gianni       

Todaro Team - Retired

508-918-9148

               

             Copyright © 2009 - 2021 Barbara Todaro

                               All Rights Reserved



 

Comments(17)

Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Those of us who follow, know and love you ...know the roller coaster and appreciate that you have allowed us "along for the ride." All our best...Always

Jul 14, 2019 06:32 AM
Barbara Todaro

thank you, Sally.... thank God for seat belts on that ride....

Jul 14, 2019 07:13 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Barbara. No matter what, life is about being happy and sad. The way you deal with it is what counts! You are dealing well! Enjoy your day 

Jul 14, 2019 06:36 AM
Barbara Todaro

thanks, Wayne.... so far so good with dealing with everything that comes my way.... 

Jul 14, 2019 07:14 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Good morning, Barbara - through following you and your posts over the years, I was aware of most of these experiences.  Like so many of the "ten year" posts I have read that offer another glimpse into the lives of our members your story reflects "life".  

Jul 14, 2019 06:36 AM
Barbara Todaro

Michael, yes, it's all part of life.... "the Lord giveth and he taketh away"

Jul 14, 2019 07:15 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I only recall a few of these events. Endicott college, Cop schooling. Weight loss watch.... Remember what you looked like before.... No more 5:30 AM gym?

Did you know I lost a few pounds this year.? Stopped looking for food every 15 mins. Munch on dried CA fruits these days...

Jul 14, 2019 06:47 AM
Barbara Todaro

first one through the door at the YMCA every day.... getting there is half the battle with EVERYONE.... to make sure nothing gets in the way, I get myself up very early and I'm there!! not 5:30am...5:00am now... they changed their hours....

Jul 14, 2019 06:50 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I am so sorry about your moms dementia......I always have that fear that someone I love will get it soon....bless you for all you do!

Jul 14, 2019 06:58 AM
Barbara Todaro

I hope no one in your family gets it.... it's just horrible.... I think about my getting it in the future.... 

Jul 14, 2019 07:17 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

You've had quite a decade, Barbara, but through it all the strength of you and your family shine through. 

Jul 14, 2019 07:13 AM
Barbara Todaro

thank you, Lottie.... I have a very strong family.... we hold each other up ....


my grandchildren who lost their father are very strong and honor him every-single-day with what they do and how they want to follow in his footsteps and complete the journey he was not able to....

Jul 14, 2019 07:20 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Barbara... you've lived through some really, really tough times in the past decade and what's clear to me is that you've come out the other end stronger than ever. And hopefully the great grandsons and your family's conitnued success in their chosen professions and personal lives have helped "soften" the difficult times. Your care and love for your family sets an example for all of us to follow.

Jul 14, 2019 07:26 AM
Barbara Todaro

Nina..... thank you.... when one sees teenagers grieving for their father, there's no choice but to put your own emotions aside and focus on them....  he and I were very close, and I loved him as a son. He responded as a son would.... ugh... he was such a strong link for the family.

Jul 14, 2019 07:31 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Barbara,

In following you for a few years now, I knew some of these events in your life, and let me say, how much I admire you for your accomplishments and dedication to every thing you do in your life.  I have shared this with Ron who feels the same way I do. Here's wishing you a great decade ahead!   A

Jul 14, 2019 07:44 AM
Barbara Todaro

thank you for your well wishes, Alexandra and Ron....

Jul 14, 2019 09:27 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Barbara:

Having followed you for year I was aware of some of this but not all. It's been quite a journey for you and your family. I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom - such a dreadful disease!

Jeff

Jul 14, 2019 09:17 AM
Barbara Todaro

Thank you, Jeff.... someday there will be a cure.... and it has been a journey for the entire family..

Jul 14, 2019 09:29 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Looking back on family and personal life for a decade offers quite the perspective on movement in our lives and that of our loved ones.  You're right about Dementia being an awful disease.  We lost a family member early this past week, who suffered from it as well.  First it takes your mind, and then ultimately your life.

Jul 14, 2019 02:42 PM
Barbara Todaro

so much has happened in that 10 year period....some of it came within one short period of time....

Jul 14, 2019 02:52 PM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Inspirational Barbara Todaro and keep in up. Jeff 

Jul 14, 2019 03:19 PM
Barbara Todaro

thanks, Jeff...

Jul 14, 2019 03:27 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Dementia/alzheimers are terrible diseases and dealing with them takes a toll on everyone. I'm glad you made sure you took care of yourself and your own health.

Your activities are definitely keeping you young!

Jul 17, 2019 06:40 AM
Barbara Todaro

fine physical condition will hopefully help with good mental health in the future and dodge dementia.... hopefully.

Jul 17, 2019 10:59 AM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Barbara, I keep a schedule of your recommendations for strength building exercises on my desktop. I started attending classes after I read your article on the subject several years ago. Thanks for being here.

Jul 17, 2019 10:38 AM
Barbara Todaro

whatever amount of energy you can exert for strength training, do it every day.... dodge that osteo bullet..... replace fat with lean muscle.... Steffy Hristova  

Jul 17, 2019 11:01 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hi Barbara Todaro I do understand how difficult dementia can be for not only the person but the entire family. My Dad suffered through is for 15 years.  It's hard when he begin to not know who we were but at some point we all did our best to listin to as many WWII stories that he wanted to tell - that made him happy. I hope your Mom is able to remember some thing from way back when. I am very impressed with how you've become a 'local' weight training celebrity - that is so awesome!! You are a true role model - in so many ways!

Jul 18, 2019 02:09 PM
Barbara Todaro

Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886 her dementia is progressing.... she doesn't usually know who I am now.... she actually knows my name but now how I'm related to her.... I'm introduced as her sister, at times.... I  must look 100!!she's almost 97.

Aug 15, 2019 09:03 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Barbara Todaro -  This journey called life has many highs and many lows. I wasn't aware of a lot of the things that were, did, or are going on in your life. Through all the blog posts, you remain cheery and positive. Behind your personal closed door, the past 10 years have been a roller coaster ride. Though there are many things that do change us, it is what our mothers go through that changes us the most. It is the turning point in both mother and daughter's lives. Thank God for new babies and grandchildren. They are the natural vitamins that give us a reason to get out of bed and champion them as they take their first steps in life, whether it is a graduation, down the aisle to take the vows, or chasing them around because that's what kids do - we do it with them. Holding your mother's hand at times like this is a sensation that only a daughter can understand and I know, it's hard, very hard. May God be with you always. 

xxo,

Patricia 

Aug 15, 2019 08:03 AM
Barbara Todaro

Thanks, Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP my family keeps me strong and very busy..... they're my strength.... visitng my mother is always a challenge.... one never knows what the emotion of the day will be and all I can do is pray for a good one.....thank you for your kind words....  


 

Aug 15, 2019 09:19 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Barbara Todaro - I understand.... but I am not in your shoes. I couldn't live successfully without family. 

By the way, I went back to that July Contest where you submitted this entry. In addition to commenting on each entry, I wrote a new post today and included everyone who participated, including yourself using quotes. Jeff liked it but said it was intense. 

Aug 15, 2019 12:57 PM