Go forth into the busy world and love it. Interest yourself in its life, mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I have been absent in this place and the simplest explanation is…life. It has been busy, so I took a break from writing. Now, I am back! I want to share some of last year’s events with you.
Like every year, 2022 was full of joy and sorrow.
January started with a bang. After a long weekend in San Francisco, my husband, Tony, went to work on Monday morning to discover he lost his job. He had been with the company for 30 years, so it was quite a surprise! A new CEO was hired, and he eliminated the former direct staff, including my husband. We saw it as a blessing once we got over the initial shock. Tony decided to take time off to rest, work on our property, visit family, and travel before finding new employment. We enjoyed some great vacations and loved spending so much time together.
Some other not-so-great things of 2022 happened. We buried my mom’s dog, I quit a job I loved due to Long Covid, dealt with health issues from LC, and we said goodbye to our youngest as she left for university. Our daughter’s moving away was hard as it left us empty nesters(and missing her so much), but seeing her thrive in a new environment was such a joy.
Some highlights of 2022 include trips to London and Ireland, a family vacation, celebrating 34 years of marriage, and a dear friend flying in for a long visit. One of the best things of 2022 was a visit from my daughter and son-in-law! They flew to California from Okinawa and spent the Fourth of July with us. Due to Covid restrictions, we hadn’t seen our son-in-law in two years. Another amazing event happened- my youngest got engaged! We adore her fiancé and are thrilled for them.
We also made some updates to our property, including new patios, a fence, and landscaping. I attended three fabulous concerts in 2022: Ray LaMontagne (my favorite!), the Goo Goo Dolls, and Jackson Browne, and I went with the family to Knott’s Berry Farm.
There were so many ordinary days last year as well. They were full of dog and cat snuggles, walks, baking, and friends visiting. There were also dinner dates, lots of reading, and time spent with family. The mundane tasks like bill paying, laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, chores, etc., kept me busy, along with work, errands, and the normal frustrations life brings. I often think about how ordinary days, even the boring ones, are extraordinary because each day is a gift. Life is precious and unpredictable, and the ups and downs of 2022 kept me mindful of this.
Of course, this recap isn’t all-encompassing, but a snapshot of my life in 2022. The busyness of the day-to-day and my health kept me from writing as I hoped to. So, here we are, already midway through 2023; how is that possible? It, too, has been full. I’m excited about what’s ahead and will share more with you very soon.
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