Happy Birthday to Me

Other than a few exceptions, the year 2022 totally sucked. It contained deaths, illnesses, surgery, home building delays accompanied by ad nausem excuses, a lost friendship, three rental homes, a hurricane, and a generally crappy attitude. It was wonky and filled with emotions that left us treading water and hoping not to drown. It was surprising in its thoughtlessness.

The exception to the rule was that 2022 also brought us a new daughter in law, a beautiful wedding, and a brand-new family. We were also lucky to be able to visit our family and love on our grandchildren. Our true friends supported us and empathized with the way that things were turning out. Most importantly, they radiated positivity. In September, we both were healthy and strong enough to attend our class reunions and renew old friendships. We learned new things and tried new projects. We have a faithful dog!

Life is funny and every day is a new adventure. With the illnesses that we had in 2022 we found that certain things matter more than others. Faith, family, friends, good conversations, laughter, and loving are the most important parts in life. My parents told me this a long time ago and like so many other things, they were right.

This year is the year that I personally (and finally) realized that life is so very short and that it is passing faster than I ever could have imagined. The saying about the days being long and the years being shorter cannot be truer.

Once we reach a certain age and I guess, maturity level, we find that the hurtful words of people (either close or not) need to slide off our backs. It no longer matters what other people think of us; it’s how we look at ourselves and the fact that we love and accept ourselves, flaws, and all.

So happy birthday to me. May this year be better and I, in turn, be better. May I continue to learn and be grateful for the people and things in my life and may 2023 slow down so that I can savor all the precious moments.

A special note to my sixth grade teacher, Lois La Pointe Kiely for introducing us to the music of Joan Baez. May we all stay "forever young."

Love,

Me

My Memory of St. Nick's Day

 

When I was a very little girl, our family lived in Germany. We lived in Heidelberg and then spent a year or so in Nuremburg. I don’t remember much but I do remember feelings and smells of the holidays. I remember the Christmas markets and the delicious food smells, including chestnuts. I remember walking through the markets with my parents and sister and staying close to them because there were so many people. I also remember getting a Sears catalog in the mail (maybe my grandmother sent it to us) and my sister and I folded down the page corners showing the toys, games, and dolls that we loved.

One of my fondest memories was St. Nick’s Eve. That was the evening that we put our shoes outside (or in the outside hallway of our apartment) before we went to bed with hopes that in the morning, we’d find treats and toys in them from St. Nicholas, the Patron Saint of Children.

Legend has it that St Nicolas was a bishop known for his selflessness and caring. He’d tend to the sick and needy using the money he received from his inheritance or from selling his possessions. One tale says that he tossed bags of gold into open windows to help those down on their luck. The money often landed in the shoes that were drying by the fireplace. Over the years, that led to children putting their shoes out by the fireplace (or the hallway) with hopes that St. Nick would fill them with treats. St. Nicholas Day is December 6^th, supposedly the day of his death in 343 AD. St. Nick’s Day is a day of giving, named after a very kind, big-hearted man.

On December 6^th my sister and I would look for our shoes and sure enough, they would contain little treats. There was always an orange, some nuts and chocolate, a candy cane, and a little toy. It was a happy way to start the day and begin the excitement that comes with Christmas.

Over the years I tried to recreate St, Nick’s Day with my own family. The kids would put their shoes by the fireplace and in the morning, they would also find an orange, candy cane, chocolate, and a small toy. It was a joyous way to start the day (especially if it was a school day) but also a lovely introduction to the hustle and bustle of Christmas and a remembrance of the greatest gift of all, the baby Jesus Christ.