Most people will agree that 2016 has not been a good year, but I don't think I have ever looked at the next year with so much trepidation. 2016 has seen a lot of deaths in the celebrity world. It sure has seemed more than the normal. According to the news, police shootings have increased tremendously. There was, for me, a shocking Presidential election, which leads to my trepidation. Since then, at least the reporting of hate crimes has increased. Louisville has had a record number of murders, and shootings have become frequent in the news.
On a more personal level, I lost my canine companion of of 14+ years. Enough about that, I'm already overemotional. I told my boss the other day that I was a mixture of pregnancy, PMS and senile dementia all rolled into one basket case. NO, I am not pregnant!!! I started a medicine November 1st for RA. It has made me experience many symptoms I had when pregnant. Nausea in the morning. Food aversions and cravings. The smell of food, while cooking, killing my desire to eat. Other smells sending me running from the room. Over emotional, like my PMS days. I cry way too easily, even more so recently.
We went to Mexico again this year. Just 3 of us this time. Steve got deathly ill, he was almost hospitalized in Mexico. We have no idea why he got so sick. I hope we never have a recurrence. I can say that I am grateful to be in a place, where the doctor told me a price and I handed her my credit card. This coming year is booked for 5. Returning to a resort we visited previously and enjoyed. They have recently revamped the entire hotel and I swear they fixed each and every item I mentioned in my review as being cons. Looking forward to having my toes in the sand and sun on my face.
Steve's health, otherwise has been fairly stable. We recently got good news that the tumors in his neck were smaller. They will only treat his lymphoma if the symptoms become an issue. The tumors in his neck had been giving him issues with swallowing. Treatment, chemo and/or radiation, would likely make him feel worse and potentially cause other issues.
My son got engaged this year. They will be getting married in May. In addition to a daughter-in-law, I will gain a 3 year old granddaughter. I want very much to be a good mother-in-law. That is something I have been very fortunate in. My mother-in-law has never been a big issue. It has been fun to shop with Regna for the wedding jewelry, that I will be making, and the flowers. I look forward to their wedding and I wish them a bright and happy future.
My job has been bumpy. There are always changes, a few good, but many difficult. I wonder about the future. I think sometimes of moving on. Same thing, someplace else. But I have a lot of seniority and vacation time, that I don't want to give up. I have already scheduled 4 weeks of vacation next year.
I am very lucky to have a family, that is slowly expanding enough to fill my house and table. The last few years, the holidays have not seemed so hollow. The plight of an only child. In addition, I have friends that often include me at their tables and holidays. I consider myself very lucky to have so many people that welcome me as a part of their lives.
As for next year, I hope what I always hope; happiness, health and financial security. In addition, I will also hope that our country will come together. That things will not devolve into the disaster that many fear. I hope that cooler heads will prevail. A year from now, hopefully we can say, that wasn't so bad.
May you be surrounded by people that you love. May your table be bountiful and you share it with others. May you find love and laughter in the company of others, and peaceful solitude when you are alone. May your heart love without restraint and the heartaches be healed. Smile often. Laugh freely. Offer a hand when you can. Take a hand when you need. Let's work together, and if we can never have peace on Earth, at least let us have it in our hearts. Happy 2017.
