Happy New Year!

New Year’s Eve, the 8^th night of Hanukkah

After my morning routine

I was walking to my spot at the table

when Buddy cut in front of me

and sent me to the floor

not the best way to start the day

but I brushed it off

only an armpit bruise

always my left side

got up from the floor

and sat at the table

for a family breakfast

then it was off to work

arriving at the store at noon

John and Laura happened to be in the parking lot

on their way to ski

and they helped manipulate me from the car

to my corner seat in the dining area

where I visited with random customers

watched the crazy busyness of the store

visited with staff, commending them on their hard work

going over some details, trying to stay in the game

I asked them to clean off tables

as deli dining customers came and went

I watched the delivery drivers bring in handtruck

after handtruck full of beer and wine

I watched Quin try to help get it all put away

in a somewhat organized fashion

almost an impossible task

I watched as customers shopped the wine section

my pride and joy

I sat in the corner out of the way and watched

the store spinning before my eyes

after an hour or so

during a slight lull

Ben helped me up slowly and carefully

I found my balance

Ben helped clear

a path to the rest room for me

he did some work on the back computer

with my direction

on the way back to my corner

things were getting crazy

and it was a little scary

through all the narrow aisle

between the deli counter, the stacks of xmas candy,

the wine stacks, the card racks

the tower of beer, the lines of customers at the registers

the tables full of customers

I created a monster

but I got back safely to my corner

and continued my watching and visiting

at around 3 pm there was a sudden rush

of visitors and the store was swirling with activity

I had not seen Jackie once since we arrived

I asked Marla who was visiting with me to find her

other friends sat down with me

I was overhwelmed

my voice was very tired

my feet were very cold

I needed to pee again

I was hungry

I needed to go home

so Ben, Jackie, Marla, Howard and Elise

all escorted me to the car

I was shaky, unstable, cold

they got me into the car

I was almost in tears

Jackie took me home, Marla followed

at home, first the bathroom

then bed

Marla prepared me some lunch

and prepped our New Year’s Eve dinner

I rested and read in bed

and answered texts

and called the mountain store

to help try to fix a cash register printer

Howie got home

at 5:11 pm

Jackie sent me a text about the moon:

the moon is a tiny sliver

a new moon and a new year

I love you so much

we will have a great year ahead

we will fill it with so much love and fun.

(lots of emogis 2017 hearts)

I texted her back:

Love you too. I’ll go look outside

Howie just got home.

I’m gonna get out of bed

(then some work stuff)

The moon is beautiful

Howie and I looked at it

outside our bedroom window

and Jackie texted back:

Seriously. I have a good feeling about 2017.

We are gonna make each day count

and we are going to experience

beauty and joy each day

and I texted,

I’m with you all the way!

(lots of heart and kiss emojis)

 

I got up and ate lunch

a big spinach salad and some bone broth with Kim Chi

Marla and I visited as I ate

then it was back to bed

around 7:30 I got up with Howie’s help

and took a shower

to be ready for the family’s

after work arrival

Howie and I watched the 4^th quarter

of the Knicks – Rockets game

the Knicks were down by 19 in the third quarter

came back within 3, but fell short in the end

I plan on watching Knicks games this year

praying for miracles is becoming part of my life

while we watched Howie followed Jackie’s

cooking instructions so dinner was in the oven

at 8:30 everyone was home

the grill was put on

and by 9 we sat down at the table

already set by Marla

for a wonderful New Year’s Eve dinner

we opened a delicious bottle of Billecart-Salmon Rose

one of our favorite champagne producers

that we discovered one night years ago at Chico Hot Springs

we toasted to the year ahead, 2017, a year of fun, joy and laughter

family time, happiness and love

we lit the Hanukkah candles, a full menorah

for the 8^th night and we shared stories and more thoughts for 2017

thinking about taking trips together

enjoying family adventures and being there for each other

2017 is going to be a fresh start

a year of living in the present

being mindful of the moment at hand

and as a friend wrote this morning:

a miraculous year filled with positive energy