Musings & Threads. Reflections — thehummingbirdpost.com

Oct 22

Oct 22 Musings & Threads. Reflections

Donna Wetjen, Life Ramblings, Musings & Threads

Reflections

Approaching my 58th trip around the sun has made me incredibly pensive about where I am, where I’ve been and where I want to be for the rest of my time here. Looking back on my life, I wouldn’t change a thing - the good, the great, the bad, the downright awful. All of my life experiences have led me to where I am today - physically, mentally, and probably most important of all - spiritually. I’m not special. I’m not the only one on this earth who has reflected in this way and I know for a fact that many people feel the way I do. What has happened to me that is somewhat unique is that this reflection has somehow compelled me to write after not doing so for longer than I care to admit.

Where I’ve been doesn’t matter now. The past is the past and in many (not all!) cases, I never have the desire or thoughts of wishing I could go back in time. There have been some amazing times that I think of often and remember them with love and joy in my heart, however I always try to live in the present and enjoy every moment. No matter how insignificant some moments feel, I’ve learned to try to appreciate them all. From the uniqueness and beauty in a sunset or a meal or anything really that just catches my eye. The kindness of a stranger or how someone reacts to something I do for them. Love poem verses move me to tears and I’ve been reading a lot of those. A great belly laugh is truly the best medicine for me. When someone I love with all my heart tells me that they love me, it brings a level of exhilaration that I have no words for. This is how I want to be - always.

I try my best to be “emotionally sober” when it comes to stress, anger and sadness. Those are no longer emotions I wish to experience. I prefer instead to let life happen as it will - whether I like it or not - and live for only the joyful moments I experience. I meditate on this daily and I think I’m purposefully becoming really good at it. I highly recommend it!

As for the future, I realize that mortality is creeping up on me. Again, I’m not special in that regard. But I promised myself to take life as it comes and continue to live my life not even one day at a time, but one moment at a time and try to be grateful for all that life gives me. Even the unpleasant or bad moments in life have taught me wonderful lessons and have brought me here to this place of emotional sobriety and living for the joyful moments that life has to offer. It isn’t ever easy, but it’s always worth it!

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Donna Wetjen

Donna grew up on Long Island, the youngest child of two deaf parents. Her childhood was somewhat of a role reversal as she was the person who communicated with the outside world and made sure her parents were okay and not being taken advantage of. Donna believes that witnessing and experiencing the cruelty and discrimination toward people who are “different” shaped her into the compassionate person she is today.

Starting in banking at 16, Donna worked her way up the corporate ladder from Bank Teller to Director of Branch Operations for an East End bank. This position allowed her to feed one of her passions - writing - as she managed many of the Bank’s policies and procedures. Banking did not however, do much for Donna’s other great passions – rescuing animals and cooking.

Feeling lost and alone after her mother passed away from breast and ovarian cancer, on a whim and in the throes of grief, she and her husband sold their LI home and moved to a little house on 17 acres in the rural mountains of North Carolina. Here Donna was able to begin to feed her other passions, as they started a small hobby farm with mostly rescued animals of every variety including sheep, mini-horses, chickens, dogs, cats and a blind chicken named Winky. Shortly after moving there, Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a grueling year-long regimen of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, Donna is happily cancer-free, but forever changed. She now spends her time nourishing all of the things that make her soul happy. She has a small organic garden and has learned the fine art of canning. She spends a good deal of time making up, changing or combining recipes to test on her husband, with considerable success. Donna is currently in the process of writing 2 books based upon her experiences with both cancer and rescuing animals. Donna loves her volunteer work at the county shelter and rescue organization, and is proud of her lifetime of advocacy that began as a child in support of her parents and continues today through her rescue and volunteer work.