About Marie_the_Optimist

Survivors never quit. We just change our ways. (c) MBL. I am a survivor... and an eternal optimist. Not because life always comes with a happily everafter. It certainly doesn't. But I have great faith in God, He has carried me safely over some pretty rough roads in my life journey. So even when tough times come, I keep moving forward and look for the positive. I don't say this lightly. When I share my story, people tell me I should be writing it. So here I am!

I am sixty six years old, grew up in a wonderful blue collar neighborhood, had a wonderful strong family, was first chair drumer in my high school marching band, graduated from college, was married to the same man for 36 years and have two children, and four grandchildren. Volunteerism has been just as important to me as my career. I have played at being an artist and writer. Over time I'm going to share with you some of my stories about:

My most difficult times over the years. Not to drag you down. Not at all. I hope by getting a glimpse of my life, you will see glimmers of hope. Hope that is out there for all of us. God never promised perfection on this earth, but he did promise that He would be with us. And that gives me hope.
The things I am passionate about, like community, and fighting for those who need someone to bouy them up and speak out for them.
Universal accessibility. So we can all go to the party!!
Giving back to the community and building relationships.
Hanging on to hope!

For right now, I am going to just mention some of the pivotal times. So I hope you will come back and read as I fill in the details.

Mother's Day 2006. Twin surgeries for a tracheostomy and a feeding tube. Both permanent. I call them my Twin tubes.
September 1949.Going way back. Polio strikes three times in one family. Mine.
1970.When this young mother didn't think my lungs were going to make it.
Spring 1979. Master's Degree, Teacher of the Year, and mother's death.
1993. From Superwoman to woman in a wheelchair.
May 1999. I buried my father and six hours later said my earthly goodbye to my husband.
2008. Living a New Normal (c) MBL Living single independently from my wheelchair with my Twin Tubes.

You are not going to hear tales of woe, but rather stories of survival and hope, of encouragement and going forward, and of having something to smile about even in the midst of tragedy. May you be blessed and encouraged as we share life's journey through these stories.

Location:: United States
Primary occupation:: Educator, Accessibility Consultant
Dream occupation:: Artist and Peace Corp Volunteer
Hometown:: Plymouth MI
Schools attended:: Plymouth MI High, Rogers AR High, U of Arkansas, GA State Univ.
I like:: Being with grandchildren, drawing, reading, writing, time with friends and family.
Favorite writers:: CS Lewis, Gahlil Gibran
Favorite books:: Mere Christianity
Favorite newspapers:: Atlanta Journal Constitution for local news
Favorite magazines:: New Mobility, National Geographic
Favorite music:: light classical
Favorite movies:: Oklahoma
Favorite TV shows:: Friday Night Lights, Biggest Losers, PBS documentaries, Travel channel
Favorite teams:: Arkansas Razorbacks
Favorite quote:: "Survivors never quit. We just change our ways." It is original to me. It was my message to myself when I started using a wheelchair at the age of 52.
Gender:: female
Religion:: Christian