Reviewing the Past Twenty-Five Years of “The Janet Show”

I’ve watched/followed Oprah sporadically over the years. Being an avid reader, I’ve read most of the books chosen for her bookclub — some I’ve love, others I haven’t. I occasionally buy a copy of the ‘O’ Magazine.

There’s no way I’d be called Oprah’s biggest fan, but she intrigues me. What she’s done in her life is amazing … and she’s still going strong, with OWN The Oprah Winfrey Network launching on 1/1/11.

This is Oprah’s 25th and last season to do The Oprah Show. All season she will be doing flashbacks to the biggest things that happened over the past 25 years on her show.

This made me think about “The Janet Show” over the past 25 years. There’s a few biggest things. I married Jerry and had three boys. I left a very-sheltered world for the real world. I started running. I almost died. I ran again.

Twenty-five years ago, in September 1985, I was 19. I was living with my parents, working at their business. I was engaged to Jerry (after dating 2 years)

I had as busy a social life as my parents allowed, which wasn’t much. There was some angst in my life (understatement of the year) as I pushed at the confines of the traditional Mennonite  lifestyle that I was forced to live.

We had a traditional  Mennonite wedding  (I knew it was the only way my dad would pay for the wedding) Then we began the freeing, but sometimes scary, process of finding our way outside the boxes of our childhood.

In my late twenties, after giving birth to three boys in less then five years, while starting a business with Jerry, I struggled with depression. I was frustrated that life wasn’t what I thought it would be.

Running saved me. (how that happened is a post for another day) My body, mind and spirit found hope as I ran.

Fast-forward to 2003, we sold our business/property/house and began a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, traveling around the country in a motorhome.

California, May 20, 2004 at 1:30PM, that adventure and life as I knew it ended … and I almost met St. Peter at the pearly gates.

Against all odds, I began running again in the spring of 2008. Again my body, mind and spirit found hope … step by step.

Your turn … what are the biggest events in ”The (your name) Show” over the past 25 years?

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  • http://fahnmamma@blogspot.com Doris Fahnestock

    You grew up Mennonite….me too. My Dad was a Lancaster Conference minister. I was 19 when we married.

    Life has some interesting twists…..I’m thankful I didn’t know what all I would face. ….twins at age 35 (child 4 and 5), unexpected pregnancy at 40 (special needs child), second daughters life changing accident , hubby’s job loses (no fault of his)……hard stuff. But God is good. Although it wasn’t always easy to see.

    Thanks for stirring the deep places. Reflection is so good for the soul.

    • http://janetober.com janeto

      Wow Doris, thanks for sharing. We have some things in common, but also a lot of things different. I had my third and last child at 28. (that’s all I could handle)
      Praying that reflection and stirring of the deep places brings a measure of peace and hope to you.

      My memory needs refreshing … I remember reading about your daughter’s life changing accident, but now I can’t seem to find it on your blog. Where can I find info about that?

      • http://fahnmamma@blogspot.com Doris Fahnestock

        Hi, I had to laugh….had I not wanted one more child, I may have been finished at 28 too. That’s how old I was when child #3 came!

        I haven’t written about her accident on my blog yet. I will some day. I think I had mentioned it on your blog when I first found you. Your story reminded me of our experience. She was 21, a boating accident. She is paralyzed from the waist down. Her story is one of acceptance (she was amazing) and a wonderful love story (her boyfriend of 3 months stayed with her through it all). I, on the other hand, looked like I was ok on the outside. But I closed my heart to my God. For years. God is such a patient God. He waited and the walls came tumbling down at a Women’s retreat. I’ll stop….before I write a book =)

        I really do love reading your blog. I will love reading your book!

        By the way, I think you were a very pretty bride!

  • Jacinda

    So 25 years ago I was 4 but the thing I remember about your wedding was Cheese Whiz from a Can.. LOL I always think about it when I treat the kids to it on crackers. Probably the first wedding I attended in my life. Also have fun memories of you letting me help with the boys while you canned peaches and things. The mounted bear would freak me out a little and Jerry was kinda scary for a while. Off to put my 3 little memories makers to bed!

    • http://janetober.com janeto

      Cheese Whiz at my wedding? Refresh my memory, when/where?
      ‘Letting’ you help with my boys? It was more like I was hoping they won’t scare you away … I was always surprised when you came back again :)
      As for canning peaches … wow, haven’t done that in forever.