Recovery and Wellness 2025

     On December 29, 2024, my husband Stephen celebrated my 80th birthday in Seattle, Washington, with my children and their family. 
​      Mari Odette-Kanotz (my oldest daughter)--with her husband Chad Kanotz,  treated us to a fine dinner at the Hilton. My son Walter Avillanoza with Mari's son Keenan Becker made the party most delightful. Keenan took the group photo to the right.

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 Mental and physical wellness came to me and my husband of 44 years (11/21/25). Few know how many neck and back surgeries I've gone through since 1991 -- the fifth one in November 2023. 
     During the mid-1960s, my first marriage ended in divorce. It was bitter sweet with three toddlers to care for.
    Eight years of divorce was a time of healing from many bouts of depression, suicide attempts, self-harm. I was learning all about being in control of my own life. It was unlike myself choosing careers in lieu of attending college. My parents refused me the higher education I had aspired for after graduating high school.        Nevertheless, I had the strength and ability to move up from a legal secretary position to sales and marketing management in the electronics industry. 
     Later, I would learn that I was the first woman in outside sales for a printed circuit board manufacturer. Eventually, tapped to market chemical milled semiconductor substrates. Eager to learn any trade for higher wages was the inspiration that moved me upward. I thought I reached my highest potential during those years.

"Wellness comes . . .
with perseverance and endurance . . . it's a journey -- one day at a time." 
​Donna Mae's self-realization.

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This is a story to be continued. If you are interested in learning more about my recovery from self-harm, low-esteem, many health challenges and the adverse childhood effects I experienced -- I hope you'll allow me to continue here in my blog. See you soon!
Donna Mae Baukat (a.ka., Goles-Avillanoza)

Mari designed the shirt I'm wearing.

With God as my Lord...
I'm blessed!

A professional photographer met us at the Hilton a few days after my birthday. I wanted a portrait of my Daughter, Granddaughter Tessonja Odette with her daughter November Tigerlily.

Tess, Mari, me and Nova to my left. Four generations of "older siblings.".

     Early Spring of 1981, I experienced a spiritual break through. Exhausted from a relationship of two years, I stood on my bed and shook my fist toward heaven -- angry at God for 37 years of one disappointment after another. 
     "Why, Lord, can't I talk with you like a friend?" I was at a non-denominational church that my boss invited me to. The congregation were raising their hands, singing praises and loudly thanking....worshipping God. 
     A Catholic since my birth, such behavior was foreign to me. Yet, I felt humbled while adjusting to the spiritual awakening in my soul. I stepped up to the front when the pastor invited anyone for the elders to pray for us. 
     On the way home, I wasn't sure about how my life would look like going forward. The Lord had drawn me to recognize my sins of lust for love. It was for a love of love--a need to be loved by anyone.
     True love, faithfulness and trust were absent!
​ A new chapter to follow. . .