I wrote a couple of years ago about being grateful, but it’s high time I revisited this destination. It’s imperative for happiness, for perspective.
In the intervening time since that blog post, I’ve lost my mother to Alzheimer’s, my father’s moved into Assisted Living, two of our cats have passed on (Muffin and Frodo), and we’re in the middle of a fight to keep our house (legal battle with the County over Medicaid assistance for Dad).
I painted Mom’s nails the day before she died; she always had impeccable nails.
Frodo, near the end of his illness.
Muffin, my mother’s cat
Additionally, I’ve had surgery this year on my foot, keeping me immobile for a long time, then in a walking cast and on a scooter. Health concerns continue, unabated. Financial issues, as with everyone, seem to only worsen. Justin and I have often thought that 2014 has *not* been our year.
Ouch
Steve, the Scooter, and Rufus, the Cast
However, attitude is everything.
While I miss my mother terribly, and Alzheimer’s is the worst disease in the world, as far as I’m concerned (I once heard it described on NPR as a disease in which the victim watches as her own brain is eaten away), she was more than ready to go, and I was fortunate enough to be able to be by her side, holding her hand, as she took her last breath. She lived a full and happy and interesting life, and left a massive legacy through her teaching.
Dad seems very happy in Assisted Living, and is getting healthier in some ways even as his age is slowly taking away other things. He’s ninety-one, now, but still enjoying living.
Dad, winning at cards, as usual, at his apartment.
Dad at Thanksgiving, 2014
Dad, Sept. 2014
Dad at Assisted Living at a music concert (his favorite: Stonybrook Band).
Dad this week on Christmas.
We miss Muffin and Frodo immensely, yet we’ve acquired both Pixel and Hershel in the last several months. Part of owning cats is acknowledging that lives are finite, and grief is inevitable. We do it because the pain is worth it.
Pixel
Hershel
Our legal fight is hugely stressful, and we still don’t have final results, yet for the time being we have a roof over our heads and are enjoying our property. And as Justin and I keep saying, “You, me, and the kitties; that’s all we need. We can face anything else.” We don’t want to have to, but we can if we need to. Us and the kitties: that’s home.
While the surgery and recovery were problematic, I’m walking and living without the daily excruciating pain that I’d had in my foot for over three years due to arthritis and bone spurs shredding tendons. Every month, I’m walking easier and easier!
And finances? Well, hell…that’s just the human condition (unless you’re one of the 1%). We’re both employed. We have a place to live (at least for now, LOL). We have plenty to eat. Everything else is gravy, when you really think about it!
Hershel’s story (written elsewhere) has done a lot to restore my faith in mankind, and to bring back smiles and hope.
Justin and I at a Twins game, 2014
My husband is the best person on the planet, in my opinion, and I’m grateful daily to share my life with him. And while we didn’t have snow for Christmas, we did get some the next day…it’s beautiful outside.
Snowblowing.
Justin, at dinner before an Ike Reilly show in Minneapolis
Justin likes coffee.
I love my husband.
Justin with Wednesday Cat.
Here’s to seeing 2014 out–perhaps none too soon, but maybe I’m giving it a bad rap–and ushering a bright, beautiful, bountiful 2015 in.
May we all have plenty to be grateful for in the coming year.
Outside our front door just now.