Hello Friends!
I want to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself and why I’m writing this blog, “The Unperfected Sojourner”. First of all, I believe God placed me on this earth to be a mom. My single greatest pleasure has been raising my two girls, Lyric & Mishon. Although one is grown and the other is almost grown, it has only been through God’s grace and mercy that they survived and thrived having me as a mother. You see, I don’t like staying in one place for very long. After a few years, I get a feeling (an itch really) of wanting a change of scenery and looking back over the last 20 years, we’ve moved on average every 4 years. For the girls, that usually meant changing schools mid-year during their elementary, middle and high schools years. Not ideal, I know, hence, the unperfected sojourner!
What’s with all the moves, you ask? Well, I grew up in Reddick, Florida, a small town located between Gainesville and Ocala. These two towns are located within an hours drive of Orlando or Jacksonville. Reddick is such a small town, it doesn’t even have a red light – it has a caution light and a four way stop sign. After high school, I joined the U.S. Air Force. As a matter of fact, I spent my 18th birthday at Bitburg Air Base in Germany. That birthday – in a different country, away from everyone and everything I knew, awakened something in me. It birthed the desire to live life by my own code, not dictated by societal norms or marred into complacency.
I served 10 years in the Air Force. Uncle Sam took me from Germany to Texas, back to Germany, back to Texas and then to Florida when I decided not to give him anymore of my time. I attended the University of Florida (Go Gators!) to earn my Bachelors degree in Recreation and became a Recreational Therapist. Later on, I went back to UF for a Masters degree in Business. I just moved to Atlanta, Georgia in April of 2018 and have a great job as a Recreational Therapist.
Along this wild and crazy journey, I met and married not one, not two, but three incredible men (remember: change of scenery) and had the two babies with the second one. I’m divorced and although I’m willing to give love another chance, he’d have to be pretty brave (or stupid) to ask me to jump the broom (again). We’ll see though!
I’m writing this blog to show the small town girl that she doesn’t have to settle for complacency. I’m writing this blog for the single parent who’d like a change of scenery (for various reasons), but concerned about how it’ll affect the kids. I’m writing this blog for my family to let them know how much I appreciate all that wind beneath my wings. Lastly, I’m writing this blog for myself because I finally realize that a change of scenery doesn’t always mean location. I’m kinda digging Atlanta.
Join me, the Unperfected Sojourner, as I write about life in Atlanta, getting my “fine & fitness” back, dating over 50, being an introvert and all things family.
Blessedly Yours,
Vanessa
