I love to talk about what's going on in our lives, mine and yours. In my newsletters, I focus on those things that bring us joy, as well as the tough stuff that comes with being human. Through Memoir, I write about some of my hard life experiences including dealing with family addiction and the struggles of finding a sense of place. I write about the importance of connection in building resilience and finding joy and peace in our daily lives - insulating ourselves from this sometimes crazy world. Share your email below to receive the newsletter every two weeks.
Celebrating 14 years of bliss
|
Dear Reader Wedding AnniversaryI am soooo excited. This week Neil and I celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary. The photo I'm sharing sits on our kitchen wall as a reminder of that beautiful day. I often look at the photo of Neil and see how happy he was then. I look so I can check if I still see that joy today. Last time I looked though, my eyes fell on my face and the joy I see reflected there grabbed at my heart in recognition that I still feel that joy now - seven fold. We'll celebrate the day with a meal at our favourite restaurant - with my oldest and youngest daughters who, of all our children, are the only ones who live in our area. It's going to be a fun, loving time! I've experienced many adventures in my life, each one giving me memories that build on each other. Some of course haven't always been easy to cope with at the time. One day, I'll write that book I've been threatening to write - the "tell all" story about my life. Since we met, just shy of 15 years ago, Neil and I've enjoyed quite a few adventures. Today, I'm thinking of the adventures marriage to Neil has brought into my life. Those that surprise and please me the most though, are the things he says. If you overheard him, you'd wonder what is extraordinary about his words that could surprise me. It's the context, you see. He says things that warm my heart because, in the past, in the distant past I'm thankful to say, I was told the opposite. And he doesn't know that. He just says what he says because that's the way he is, and that's what I love about him. Do you mind if I share something personal? How we met? I'd been living in the USA for a few years and came back to NZ to find my best friend had met the love of her life on a dating site. A colleague had the same experience, as did my cousin. I was encouraged to 'give it a go' too. Long story - short: I agreed to register on the app. I reflected for a long time on what qualities I wanted in a mate, and what qualities I thought I had to offer. And then I put up my profile. And that's how Neil and I met. In our 60s, on a dating app. Just over two years after I came home. I took a while to go through that registration process. One day, I'll write the extended version, but for now - you've got the picture. The qualities I looked for were those my soul needed to be surrounded and nourished by. Ones that allowed me to be myself, to grow in any direction my heart yearned. I'll be reflecting on how that looks and feels to me before I put it all into that extended version. For now, I'm thrilled to say that Neil 'still' embodies those qualities that bless my life every day. And it's been long enough now for me to know that that's the way it will be 'forever'. Thank you, my dear companion, for choosing to be in my life, for growing our love for each other daily. UpdatesWebsiteI'm pleased to say that my website: www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com has a new look and is live. If you find any discrepancies, or links that don't work, please let me know. I am always grateful! The link below the newsletter should also take you there. HealthFirst, let me say a huge thank you for your messages of support, and for being here with me. Those pesky health challenges are still with me and I'm glad to say I'm still experiencing progress every day! Soon, I hope to be able to pick up a book and read! It's still not easy at the moment. I remain hopeful, and grateful for dedicated health professionals. I'm also grateful for Neil. You will have read about the support and help he was during the events subject of An Addict in the Family - and he hasn't stopped there. During the past few weeks that I haven't been able to drive, he's willingly taken me to appointments, shopping - everywhere I needed to go. And he has taken on everyday tasks that have been too much for me lately. Thank you, my dear companion! With love My thoughts for Living Life in 2025 and beyond: “Cast your bread upon the waters and it will Doris May Payne - my mother "Life is a Daring Adventure or Nothing" Helen Keller “Write it on my heart that every day is Ralph Waldo Emerson "Remember that sometimes not getting “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them, please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com Join my Reader's Group on Facebook. FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of |
Hi! I'm Stephanie Hammond
I love to talk about what's going on in our lives, mine and yours. In my newsletters, I focus on those things that bring us joy, as well as the tough stuff that comes with being human. Through Memoir, I write about some of my hard life experiences including dealing with family addiction and the struggles of finding a sense of place. I write about the importance of connection in building resilience and finding joy and peace in our daily lives - insulating ourselves from this sometimes crazy world. Share your email below to receive the newsletter every two weeks.
Dear Reader A little apology - Because last newsletter was a week late, I decided to keep to my schedule and share this newsletter on my Tuesday, as per normal. But I've written this on Mother's Day so I'm sending it out today, two days early! I'll be back on schedule next time I promise! Mother's Day Me and my Mum 2002 I'm writing this on Mother's Day because thoughts of my Mama have been with me since I woke up. This photo was taken not long before she died. Mum had vascular dementia and it...
Dear Reader Where do we find Joy? Finding the joy in my every day life is something I've committed myself to over the past few years. I admit I'm not always successful. I don't always like the things that pop up in my day - and sometimes the whole day appears to start miserably! Where's the joy in that? And it's been particularly hard the last few weeks. Splitting headache, double vision that's got a whole lot worse. I ended in the Emergency Department where the diagnosis was blood pressure...
Dear Reader Daylight SavingsSome thoughts We put our clocks back at 2am on April 6th, and thus Autumn is here, soon to be followed by winter. I don't know about you. I just do not understand the logic (is there any?) of this Daylight Savings practice. I was born in Queensland in Australia. Queenslanders voted not to have Daylight Savings, so in the summer we in New Zealand become three hours ahead of Queensland but only 2 hours ahead of the rest of the Eastern States. In Queensland, there is...