• Support
  • Advertise
  • Locations
  • Contact
Saturday, June 10, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTERS
San Clemente Times
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye on SC
    • Soapbox
      • Submit a Letter
    • Getting Out
    • SC Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • SC Surf
    • Dana Point Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of SC
  • Explore SC
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Submit an Announcement
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well – For the Young at Heart
    • Best of San Clemente
    • Crib to College
    • Festival of Whales Event Program
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Graduation Special
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Money Matters
    • San Clemente Trolley Route Map
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Triton Football Preview
  • SC Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye on SC
    • Soapbox
      • Submit a Letter
    • Getting Out
    • SC Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • SC Surf
    • Dana Point Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of SC
  • Explore SC
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Submit an Announcement
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well – For the Young at Heart
    • Best of San Clemente
    • Crib to College
    • Festival of Whales Event Program
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Graduation Special
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Money Matters
    • San Clemente Trolley Route Map
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Triton Football Preview
  • SC Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
No Result
View All Result
San Clemente Times
No Result
View All Result

On Life and Love after 50: Adversity Inspires San Clemente Woman to Write a Book

Staff by Staff
July 28, 2016 4:39PM
in SC LIVING, SC Living Headlines
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
On Life and Love After 50 By Tom Blake
On Life and Love After 50 By Tom Blake

By Tom Blake

The underlying message in my previous article—opportunity often arises from adversity—struck a chord with several readers.

A San Clemente resident named Karen, who has had heavy adversity in her life, emailed a response that inspired me.

She wrote, “Your last article focusing on opportunity and adversity had an impact on me. I fit your over-50 profile.”

Karen married her college sweetheart the summer after they graduated in 1976. They had two sons. She loved being a homemaker.

She said, “My husband Mike climbed the corporate ladder. Our lifestyle got bigger and better. Then Mike was diagnosed with cancer at age 39 and was given three to four years to live. That was unacceptable to us. We’d heard about bone marrow transplantation and decided to go for it. So we swapped the death sentence for a life sentence.

“Mike’s goal was to help his young sons grow to manhood. He lived for 18 years after the transplant. He lost the career, so we swapped roles and I became the bread winner. Forget about feminism and the women’s movement; it was time for me to change gears and pay some bills.

“At age 56, I was widowed. I had two amazing sons, a promising career, good health and a tremendous desire to live my life to its fullest. I took care of myself, attended support groups, and eventually found myself leading them.

“After a few years, I had revved up the career, joined Match.com, gained two beautiful daughters-in-law, changed careers, joined networking groups, sold the house and moved to the beach. I had two astounding grandbabies, traveled, dated some wonderful men, retired and got active in Toastmasters and Rotary. I worked my body and mind four to five times per week, gave motivational speeches, joined Meetup.com and cherished some unbelievable friends.”

Karen said her friends often told her she should write a book. But she balked—she felt people wouldn’t want to read about her sad story, even though she had overcome adversity.

“And then,” Karen said, “my older son, Donovan, died of cancer last summer at age 37. Adversity? I got it. Sometimes, I think I’m way overqualified in the adversity department.

“Your article, ‘In Life, Opportunity Often Arises from Adversity,’ made me think maybe I should write a book—not only for myself, but for others. I believe I have the passion and the ability to write. I was sitting in sunlight when I started this message. Now I’m in the dark.

“I could use some advice. Have you ever thought about mentoring someone?”

I responded to Karen: “Yes, you are ‘overqualified’ in the adversity department. My heart goes out to you, and your courage with what you have been through.

“Sometimes we don’t see the opportunity that arises until time has passed, and that is what is happening with you. It likely is time for you to write your book.

“You have walked the walk, losing both your husband and son. You are an expert on this topic. Writing can be cathartic and helpful to you and to others who have faced adversity or are doing so now. Plus, you are energetic and have a creative way with words.

“As far as mentoring you in writing, yes, I can help get you started in the right direction.”

Karen said she will start writing; she already has a working title for a book. She explained how that came about: “Last summer I was sitting in the street at a small-town parade with my 2-year-old grandson sitting in my lap. He was so darned excited to see another vehicle with flashing lights. Out of his beautiful mouth: ‘Nana, look at what’s coming!’ Yep, that’s the title: Look at What’s Coming.”

We look forward to Karen sharing her book with the world.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. See his websites at www.findingloveafter60.com; www.Vicsta.com and www.Travelafter55.com. Email: tompblake@gmail.com.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Tags: AgeingAuthorLiteratureOn Life and LoveOrange CountySan ClementeTom Blake
ShareTweetPin
Staff

Staff

Related Posts

Dana Wharf Whale Report: Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales Make for Busy, Exciting Summer Trips

Dana Wharf Whale Report: Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales Make for Busy, Exciting Summer Trips

June 9, 2023
Department of Energy Announces Grant Awardees to Facilitate Talks of Hosting Spent Nuclear Fuel

Department of Energy Announces Grant Awardees to Facilitate Talks of Hosting Spent Nuclear Fuel

June 9, 2023
InWonder Academy Looks to Provide Dream School Experience

InWonder Academy Showcases Experimental Learning After First Full Year

June 9, 2023
The Happening Club Promotes Socialization for Adults with Disabilities

The Happening Club Promotes Socialization for Adults with Disabilities

June 8, 2023
Next Post
Business Beat: Mary Sondag, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Business Beat: Mary Sondag, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Discussion about this post

No Result
View All Result

SC Times Daily
Get important news and updates delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here.

Subscriptions
Don’t get the SC Times delivered to your home? Subscribe today.

Advertising
Get new customers and drive traffic to your business. Advertise with us.

Support Local Journalism
For less than the cost of a couple of cups of coffee a month, become an “Insider” member and continue to get “Local News You Can Use” from the only independently owned, dedicated local news organization in South Orange County.

Contribute today.

Picket Fence Media is a proud member of the SoCal Media Network.

  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Dana Point Times
  • The Capistrano Dispatch
  • Terms of Use
  • About Us

© 2023 Picket Fence Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye on SC
    • Soapbox
      • Submit a Letter
    • Getting Out
    • SC Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • SC Surf
    • Dana Point Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of SC
  • Explore SC
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Submit an Announcement
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well – For the Young at Heart
    • Best of San Clemente
    • Crib to College
    • Festival of Whales Event Program
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Graduation Special
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Money Matters
    • San Clemente Trolley Route Map
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Triton Football Preview
  • SC Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who

© 2023 Picket Fence Media