8 Mar 2007 4:29 AM

The last of my 4 children is about to leave the nest, and each time one left, I became more aware of how I had lost my own identity over the years while raising them alone with all I had in me. My little homebased Ebay business was not getting me out of the house so I began a search to start a career at the age of 52.

I soon found that no matter how many jobs I applied for that my age was discriminated against (i know its against the law but they get around it) and lack of experience was a killer...afterall, I was "just a mom" for soo many years...so I started my own consulting business in Visual Communications & Graphic Design (my major in college & early career as Art Director and owner of a screen printing business). I quickly found that my skills were outdated and replaced with computer programs. I looked into taking courses at the local college but I began to question, do i want to go to school and invest in expensive equipment, only to find that this isn't what i wanted to do with the rest of my life?.....No.

What I really wanted was to help families in crisis as my own little family had been there once too (their father died early-cardiac arrest)...and that's where my passion was...but all my searching led to dead ends. Desperate and lost, I humbled myself, got down on my knees, and cried out for God to lead me to a job where I could help others in crisis.

A week later the phone rang....a mother of one of my son's friends who I had never met before said we should get together sometime. I asked her to go to an art fair with me that day but she said she couldn't because she had to work, and was clearly disappointed. I said, well, at least you have a job, I'd give anything to have a job. She said, we just happened to have an opening!! I asked her what it was and about fell through the floor!

Basically, a position in a unique hospital department for cardiac patients and their families during all phases of heart procedures...

I was one of thousands of online applications for the postition. I didn't meet the qualifications but nailed the 3-part interviews before they realized it (nor did I) so they rewrote the job listing and lowered the qualifications for the job to meet mine in order to hire me as they felt I was exactly what they were looking for. I resubmitted the application under the new job listing and was hired (all while even more applications were pouring in online).

They extensively trained me in medical emergency procedures as well as accounting, computer programs, etc. I've been there almost 6 months now, have been through "Code Blues" alone (they lived) and have consoled (daily) those in mourning as well as rejoiced with those experiencing healing.

So, there is hope for us all who are over fifty. Just follow your dreams and don't give up.......anna

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25 Feb 2007 5:01 AM

Is it just me or are you noticing that several recent new model-looking members all have clear colorful professional photos, are underage for overfifties, have masters degrees at early ages (and 15 spelling/grammatical errors in their profile), and profiles who's introductions have all the bells and whistles? Some have sent winks to our members. I just received one from the male-model. I'm NOT talking about any of our chatters and bloggers here (although many of you newbies are also beautiful people...*S*). I'm speaking of those who's photos are featured on the home profile page as "recent members".

WATCH OUT!!  It could be a scam to get to know you, bear their burdens, and then soak you for some cash. I could be wrong but just be careful. I know someone who paid out $10,000 over a period of time this way...for so called medical bills and child support...yet he never met her face to face. This warning could get me in trouble but i'm taking this risk for my friends here. I'm not saying it IS a scam...i'm only saying be cautious.

LOOK FOR RED FLAGS!!  ie...one of the ones with a MASTERS DEGREE has OVER 15 GRAMMATICAL ERRORS and MISSPELLINGS!! Profiles that are too good to be true!

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15 Feb 2007 8:44 AM

I wanted to share a piece of my heart with everyone this Valentine's Day. This was my husband of 12 years (and me) who fathered my 4 children and is now in heaven. He died at age 46 of a heart attack during a tennis tournament. He was warm, kind, gentle, patient, loving, protective, dedicated Christian, generous, and a man of integrity...a perfect father and husband...of Norweigan descent...I love you...anna

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2 Feb 2007 10:44 PM

Please check to make sure you can reach 911 with your cell phones!!! Call 911
right NOW and just tell them its a test...they won't mind! My sister's 3 yr old grandchild, who has multiple brain tumors, passed out yesterday and on the way to the hospital stopped breathing. ALL 3 ADULTS WITH HIM HAD VERIZON WIRELESS CELL PHONES AND NONE OF THEM COULD REACH 911! CPR was administered while they flagged down a motorist who, miraculously, was a paramedic. He was able to reach help AND prayed a beautiful prayer over Benjamin's lifeless body as he lay on the ground by the side of the road. I believe in angels looking like us and walking among us (Hebrews 13:2). Benjamin began breathing and is now in the hospital receiving emergency care. No further damage occurred to his brain from lack of oxygen.

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16 Jan 2007 6:24 AM

Three Overfifties Sisters
      Three sisters, over-fifty, live in a house together. One night, Mabel draws a bath. She puts one foot in a pauses. She yells down the stairs, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?"
      Hazel yells back, "I don't know. I'll come up and see." She starts up the stairs and pauses. Then she yells out, "Was I going up the stairs or down?"
      Faye is sitting at the kitchen table having tea and listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get that forgetful." She knocks on wood for good measure. She then replies, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."

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