27 Comments

Jan~I’m still smiling! I especially enjoyed the band story. I am a transplant to Ohio from Pennsylvania ~ Nittany Lion territory. My family were all Penn State through and through until I raised 3 daughters who had the nerve to graduate from The Ohio State University. When my dad was still living, he would either wear his PSU shirt/ Buckeye hat or OSU shirt/ PSU hat. Who knew you could never say Xichigan again?🤣🤣. Way to go proud Xichigan Gma!😉

It is sad that the innocence of children doesn’t last longer and the influence of our society is so quick to steal that innocence and replace it with falsehoods and “masks”. My hope is that some of what Graham has opened up for those of us in this community....being authentic, integrity, following your heart, stepping outside of your comfort zone and more....we can use to help our little ones(older one, too) to be themselves. I feel that, as a single mom raising my 3 daughters from the ages of 8,5,&2, I was too much in survival mode and only recently have I stepped into some of these things.

Thank-you for sharing this!

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Oh, Cindy ~ you're not going to believe this! I am a transplant to Ohio from Pennsylvania. I went to Beaver High School for awhile outside of Pittsburgh, spent summers at Edinboro Lake & State College, Pa growing up. I always thought I'd go to Penn State, but when we moved my parents made me pick a state school here in Ohio. I went to BGSU. My mother's family lived at 332 W. College Ave. & ran a boarding house for students right across from PSU. I spent many days idolizing the students & professors in the Hoy Brothers' General Store (my uncles) next-door to the main house. My sister & I went back a couple years ago to see the old home place & they were digging a huge hole for a student apartment building in its place. We were sad! Progress...

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Jan, when I was reading this, everything you were saying was what I was thinking about writing in my story. I just couldn’t put it in to words. I loved everything you said.

It is so easy being a child then growning up and putting that mask on because you want to fit in. As you grow for some the mask comes off easily, but others it’s hard because of that trauma. When I read that tears filled my eyes because that was me. I at times still have that but I’m learning to say well pretty much what you said Kiss My Ass. I’m 56 now and really don’t care what people think of me. Thank you for making me laugh she’d some tears and to remember that taking the mask off was the best thing I could have done for myself. Congratulations on your Granddaughter being a Buckeye band member there is nothing more than being proud of Grandchildren. Take care and God bless.

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Hi Shari -- it definitely is worth stripping ourselves of all those masks we thought we had to wear all our lives. I had to laugh when I read that quote. Even if I don't say it out loud, it's certainly in my mind a lot these days. Thanks for reading my blog!!! xoxo

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Jan, Your article is awesome & it resonates with me in so many ways. I am a diehard Wolverine fan 💙💛🏈 & totally understand the fan mentality. I wanted to attend U of M Nursing Program but my GPA wasn't where it needed to be 😥.

I loved your excitement & determination to cheer on your granddaughter. GO BLUE! 😊 & GO BUCKEYES ❤🤍🏈!

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Glad you liked it, Juliann! I'd love to comment on your Italy blog when you're ready. I did send you my email on the Time Has Come platform, but I can't find where???? Here it is again if you want to contact me through email: stoneburnerjan@gmail.com

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Great story, it brought back memories of when I used to care about what people thought, but at 71 those days are far behind me now. The older I get the more I remember my childhood, it's great that the mind works like that. Tell the granddaughter 'Go Blue!' for me, and that she is lucky to have a grandmother who puts family before football.

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Thanks again for reading my blog. Don't forget I'm looking forward to you sending me a story I can add to That's Good To Know. > stoneburnerjan@gmail.com Fun to hear a male's perspective on aging.

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Jan, I agree with age I don’t care as much what people think of me. I am who I am, etc. I always enjoy your writings: I can relate to this as well.

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Thanks, Anne ~ I enjoyed your blog this morning. Thank heavens God stays loyal to us when we have those toxic thoughts, doubt ourselves or want to fold under pressure. I wouldn't have the strength do it without Him. Hope you are having a good day! xoxo

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Yes Jan! So true. With age comes a different kind of confidence. I’m so glad I possess it now. Not arrogance, just a calm comfortable confidence where you simply aren’t affected by people’s criticism or disapproval. You live your life for you! Loving others, is, of course, part of the package. How freeing it is to just be! Thanks for this great piece.

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Hi Debbie ~ Yes, it's a lot less work trying to impress others. And you attract the best people when you're "just yourself." xoxo

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Wow this made me smile and she’d some tears, I love how you share “Kiss my Ass”lol. I am slowly moving forward to not care others are looking at my face .

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Lucy ~ you have earned that beautiful face & smile. And you exude a strong spirit right through the computer screen. Be like that towheaded little boy and announce proudly, "I'm a SURVIVOR." xoxo

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Thank you Jan I appreciate you , but the struggle is so real . First thing Mayo have me was to get into psychological evaluation due to the trauma from my fast failed surgeries. I wanted to end my life with a weapon and a book save my life and a friend as I text her to greet her 35th year anniversary.So many amazing humans I’ve meet here and I am so grateful and slowly letting go. I am not ashamed of my fast I have amazing therapist that I can reach out 24/7

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As I've said before, "You are amazing." Thanks for reading my blog!!! xoxo

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This is over-the-top delightful! Thanks for this divine Sunday uplift!

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Thanks for reading my blog, Vicki! xoxo

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You sound like a real fun grandma Jan…

Really enjoy reading your blog x

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Thanks, Lynn! Sometimes I've been know as the "fun grandma"; other times the "craft grandma," the "kooky grandma" or the "who knows what she's going to do grandma." ha ha! Thanks for reading my blog. xoxo

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Another great blog post. You're right that as we get "older" we get more comfortable in our own skin and lose the need to please. It's so freeing! Love the band bus story. Everybody needs a grandma like you!

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Hi Cathey ~ it definitely is freeing when you finally "grow up." hee hee! I remember the day in college as if it were yesterday: a friend of mine told me his fraternity brother couldn't stand me. I asked why & he said it was because I smiled too much!!! Another ah ha moment ~ you just can't please everyone! Loved YOUR blog entry today!!!! xoxo

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So cool! Love your blogs

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Thanks, Marty!!! xoxo

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I’m glad your granddaughter was able to see your welcoming sign. Growing up is hard but when we finally get there it’s a freedom and honor like no other. 💕

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Hi Elaine ~ we really did have fun times when she was in the Michigan Marching Band. She's an electrical engineer with Northrup Grunnam in California now. That's my next trip! Thanks for reading my blog!!! xoxo

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Aug 2, 2022
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Hi Susan! Yes, there's such freedom in later years!!! It's so amazing how some of the people you tried to impress or fit in with in high school turned out. (or didn't turn out). Ha! Thanks for reading my blog!!! xoxo

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