Remembrance is a flashback of my recollected years, not just 2016. It is my new blog posts or my life experiences – this is retroactively speaking of the plans made and accomplished in my past leading up to 2016. I’ve always been someone who has a vision and works at making that vision a reality. There are many things from my past that I have conceived, which became a reality. Getting married was one; Having two children was another; Owning my own business was an accomplishment all on its own. Taking a trip to Dubai – now that was a vision.

Dubai is a place a simple person, like myself, only dream of going. For me, the opportunity presented itself, and I jumped on the next flight to the UAE  (United Arab Emirates). After losing our mother in 2014, my sister’s and I decided to make the most of our time spent with one another. We had a fantastic experience in Dubai, along with many more to come.

My life experiences in 2016 aren’t something that will get published in People magazine – this I know. For me, it is a form of therapy when I blog about them. Who knows –  maybe one word, one sentence, or perhaps a little nugget of what I share may help, encourage, or inspire someone. I have always told my children that if they don’t learn something or become inspired by their own experiences, then try to learn something or be inspired by someone else’s experiences.

2016 was a year of much reflection on my past, present, and future. And now I’d like to reflect a bit on the year 2010. It made such a mark on my life – in the right way. 2010 showed me how much change was a need, or my loved ones would be planning and attending my funeral. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was in the ICU – my mother on my right side and my two handsome boys crying at the foot of my bed. I was in an evil place in my life.

When I was alone, I had time to reflect on my life. You see – I’ve always had a relationship with our Heavenly Father, and I have ever taken advantage of that relationship. I realized that if I did not change what I was doing, then I would never see a change in my life. So with only $100 in my bank account and someone else’s promise, I dropped – dropped everything. I packed a suitcase and moved south.

Yes, I did – this is how it went down. “Hi, my name is April, and I’m addicted to cocaine.” It’s true! I’ve been clean for six years, and I must give myself a standing Ovation! This journey has not been an easy one, but I continue to press toward the best me I can be in this lifetime.

Someone once told me to be careful who I share my past with because people will judge me, and they would not know how to accept me. Okay – If you want to decide – go ahead. If you don’t take my truths then – Oh well, rock the bell! My past experiences are what make me. It’s not what makes me the honest, caring, giving, loving, and devoted person I am today. I love being me, and I love who I’ve become. I have not let what has happened to me to change or define me as a person. I made some bad choices – who hasn’t? And -I’ve learned from them.  Here’s what I’ve learned. I have learned when I fall to get up, brush my dusty self off and pick up where I left off. Of course, it sounds easy, but by no means has this journey been an easy one. And I do not take all the credit. I give credit to my Heavenly Father, Jehovah God. Without His help, I wouldn’t be here today to share with you what I’m sharing now.

So – moving into 2017!  Awww man!  I’m excited! I have a mental picture of seeing myself in one of many places I’ve never been before! Another trip to Dubai? Maybe or maybe not! What about Johannesburg Africa or Salvador Brazil? 2017 is full of opportunities. I plan to learn whatever it is for me to learn and see whatever it is for me to see to be a better me.