Quality Life

Its been a while now since I got on and wrote.  I'm really pretty happy with the way my life is going although it gets easy at times to focus on one thing over all the others.  I'm losing weight and getting in shape, I'm almost finished with school (four more classes), and my kids are doing great. 
As a widow, I've wanted to have more respect from people than I've gotten - my circumstances have been more of a novelty than a position of respect - but I've learned to give respect to myself.  I've settled too much for situations and behavior that have been disrespectful if not hurtful, and now I take greater care to give myself the respect I deserve and the comfort I need. 
I've succeeded at marriage - my husband was happy and successful, in large part because of the love and care I provided him, and I'm proud of that.  I think of him as I raise our children and do the best job I can.  Its difficult at times to be a person who places values over emotions, but I do and I'm happier because of it.