I admit to one New Year’s Eve of dancing on tables in a far-off land… a playful evening that is bright in memory.
I admit to reveling in Nora Ephron’s “When Harry Met Sally” as her two heroes confess their feelings — at last! — at a New Year’s party.
I admit to childhood imaginings of ringing in January 1 — my mother in pearls and perfume, my father in a suit — my parents routinely heading out to welcome the new year.
And otherwise?
As December 31st rolls in, I need a breather. A quiet night. Old movies on the tube. Julia Child on YouTube!
A glass of bubbly, maybe two.
Of Rollercoasters and Resolve
My year in review? Must I, really?
Try this: I give 2016 a boot in the butt, a hearty heave-ho, and a gargantuan good riddance! Sure, there were some excellent moments, but overall… it was tough from the get-go, tumultuous throughout, but… drum roll please… sparkling at the very end.
My rollercoaster aside, can we agree it has been a grueling and disturbing election cycle, and a year too often characterized by numbing violence on both the domestic and world stage?
How to fight back?
A deep breath. A reality check. Renewed resolve — to be more open-minded, more disciplined, more resourceful; to be kinder to ourselves in defeat; never to abdicate what we believe in; always to be appreciative of love.
Change Agent?
Outcomes are never guaranteed. Change always involves risk. And after seismic change, we feel a need to pull in, to mull over, to regroup, to re-center. That is precisely what I have been doing these past weeks. Well, along with a brand new adventure in physical therapy.
Dancing on tables? Not so much.
As for the changes that swept through my 2016 — full-blown empty nest, selling my home, relocating to a new region, healing from one medical issue only to slam into another — let’s just say I never anticipated the extent to which I would be thrown off my game. And consequently, deeply disappointed in myself.
God knows, disappointments chip away at the spirit. But with a little help from our friends, when we’re knocked down, we get back up.
A Toast!
Tonight I celebrate simply. If I can stay awake, that is!
I raise my glass to the kindness of a friend whose caring has helped in more ways than I can count; I fête the return of laughter to my slightly shaken heart; I honor the steadfast support of my quirky, clever and magical sons; and I commit myself to giving at least as good as I get.
Your year in review? Your thoughts as you look ahead in 2017? Your means of managing seismic change?
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FASTEST YEAR OF MY LIFE………….
SLOWING DOWN MORE THAN I WANT TOO!
AS FOR 2017…………….. NO THOUGHTS on another year sailing bye bye. It is time to prune the roses however, once that is completed I will take a DEEP breath and MAKE SOME PLANS!
XX
Lovely! ?
Contessa is correct when she says “FASTEST YEAR OF MY LIFE” ! My grandmother always told me the older you get the quicker the years go by. I want to slow down and actually read the books and smell the flowers, etc. I want to get healthy as too many medical problems have reared their ugly heads in 2016. I wish you peace and love for 2017. Thank you for your insight and all the thought provoking words you write.
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Happy New Year, DA. May 2017 be a better year for us all… but especially for you. 🙂
It’s 2017! It’s already better! Thank you, and wishing you a wonderful year, Sue. ?
My health has been good, and for that I am very grateful, but I too bid 2016 good riddance. Now, if I can somehow make it through Inauguration Day and beyond, I will try to be more open minded. Maybe. :))
I hear you on that one, Cornelia! Inauguration Day aside, I wish you a happy and healthy new year!
Happy New Year, Wolf. I hope 2017 brings you abundance and good tidings. xo
Thank you, Rudri! Wishing you and your family a very happy 2017.
Wow, a lot has changed. Full empty nester? I can imagine the loneliness. This year saw two of my three children married and the third on her own. If it weren’t for the one couple saving for a home of their own, I too would be empty – as the house.
I will have to read back and catch up.
Wanted to wish you the Happiest of a New Year and health abound.
New Year hope – To get writing on my blog once again.
So great to hear from you, Notasoccermom! It’s been so long. Yes a great deal has changed, and changed again, and changed again. And I imagine it will continue to change. I guess that’s what keeps us on our toes!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful, happy and healthy new year. And I look forward to reading you again!
I am so happy to hear that your year at least ended on a sparkling note. May 2017 be one that brings contentment and joy.
Haven’t been on this site for perhaps two years, so here’s an update. Wow, it was something to learn of all the changes that have occurred for you lately. Fran and I have been busy and healthy, so no cause for complaint. We have been working proactively on our relationship, and it is good. Anything good takes some effort and attention. We continue to get to know one another better, after nearly fifteen years. 2016 was busy for us, and big news is that I now have a grandchild. I took two-month-old Jasper to Daniel Berrigan’s wake in April — something he can understand when he’s older. We’re still hiking and backpacking and camping (for our anniversary). Sex/physical life is good, with some adjustments for circumstances and aging. Our activism can be exhausting. I was host for a national meeting of war tax resisters at my Quaker Meeting. Civil disobedient as ever. Fran has been instrumental in overseeing the cleft palate treatment and surgery for a Burmese refugee child. I was a stand-out (so to speak, as the sole pacifist) at an Ethics of War conference hosted by West Point and Villanova. Things are bound to slow down as we get older (I can feel it in my bones — turning 74 later this month), and that is fine too. We’ve downsized and are set to live the rest of our lives in this convenient little row house. Meanwhile, plenty to keep us busy. I do hope that 2017 is good for you — appreciate your family and friends.