Good Things Still Happen

This past weekend, I took students to the NATS Mid-Atlantic Region Student Auditions. It was a great event. I had one student to win both of her categories, and she qualified for the National Student Auditions. I am so proud of my students. I cannot tell you how much it helps me mentally and emotionally to work with them, and to have them in my life. Since this estrangement with our adult daughter started, having my students to work with has been a constant sustaining force in my life. They have been a source of joy, and have help to sustain me during one of the worst situations of my life. I am so proud of all of my students. I am also grateful for the friendships that I have gained through being a member of the NATS organization. Going there, and being around my students and the other members, has lifted me up, and made me feel accepted, no matter what has happened.

Watching and listening to my students this past weekend was thrilling. Their success is my success. I love seeing them soar. It reminds me that something wonderful can happen in the midst of hardship. I can still be successful, regardless of the circumstances. For a while, I felt as though I was a failure at everything. This past weekend, I realized that is not true. I am loved by my students, and I am loved by my friends. I have great success at what I do, and how I sing and teach. I can hear and see that in the voices of my students, and in the comments they receive from the judges. I know that no matter what occurs, I can keep going, and still make a difference to others, regardless of whether my estranged adult daughter speaks to me or not. Wonderful things can still happen, in the middle of great grief, sorrow, and loss. That realization is such a blessing from God. Plus, I still have one more student yet to compete. We make her audition video at the end of this week, and then submit it for judging. She could move forward to the national level as well, we will see. Wouldn't that be great! I could use more good news!!

I am gaining more and more confidence everyday. Inch by inch, I am gaining ground, and so does Nelson. I am working hard getting ready for the Mrs. Tennessee America Pageant. My gown will be ready soon, I am waiting to find out if one of my outfits is going to make it in time. It was supposed to be delivered today. I got a message saying that they couldn't find my address. Ugh!! I had to contact the people I purchased it from. They supposedly are looking into it. I really hope they are going to get down to the bottom of it. I NEED THAT OUTFIT! Lol! My swimsuit is on its way. I have a few more things that need to get paid for the event. I am getting close to being finished. I have been working with a pageant coach on my interview. I am working on my walk. I am going to be doing an interview about having a service dog. I have my interview outfit. I just about have everything finished. It is about to get exciting! I have lost the weight I needed to lose, and now I wear a size 0!! That is just crazy! I am keeping my eyes on what is important at the moment. I think that is good for me to do right now. Especially under the circumstances.

The past year and a half has been extremely hard. I have wavered up and down emotionally and mentally. I have been in pain. However, over the past few days, I have seen sunshine. I am very grateful. In the last communication we had from our estranged adult daughter, she said that her, "Space," from us may take months or even years. She said that she didn't know, because it would take however it long it takes for her to heal. We are now into the, "Years," part of the estrangement. What does that mean for me? I can survive, and begin to thrive. I love my daughters, and my son. They have to do their own thing, just like I have to do mine. I am getting better. I am beginning to have hope for my own life. This is a VERY good thing!

Please know you are loved and enough. Comment on this blog, and let us hear from you! We would love to know your story!

#estrangement #estrangementwithadultchild #goodthingscanhappen #voiceteacher #greatstudents #mcdanielmusicstudios #mentalhealth #moveforward #mrschattanoogaamerica #mrstennesseeamerica