in nocte consilium

 

Happy New Year! The first day of a brand new year, with 365 possibilities for new, wonderful and exciting things. The year ahead beckons with a tantalizing set of prospects winking into the mists of the future. So exciting!  What lies before us in 2022? There are some things that I'm sure we all are thinking-like an end to the plague, or the ability to resume gathering. I'd love that; to meet up with my friends and family and celebrate many of the events that have been on hold for the last 2 years. Somewhat selfishly, I'd like to throw the retirement party that I had to postpone and really relish being retired. (I don't need a reason for a party, I just want an excuse to celebrate, noisily, some accomplishments!)

I hope that this year will give me a break from cancer treatment. I'm sick of being sick, and it would be marvellous to not need chemo or radiation! It's not the most realistic hope, but what good is it to only hope for realistic goals? While I'm on the topic, I'd like to win a big lottery jackpot, which I'd use- partly-to get my friends together for a fun-filled long weekend. (I have other plans for the rest.) It would be fabulous if I could reduce the number of meds that I'm taking. That's possibly realistic, as several of them are "take when needed" and I would be happy to reduce the need. I'm dreaming, which I think is good. And, also in the fantasy column, I'd love it if all of my bills were paid for a whole year. Just imagine-no mortgage, or utility bills, or taxes, etc, for a full year! Then the money that I would have paid gets doubled and deposited into my accounts. I'd then use it for a couple of charities that I support. <sigh> My fantasies are both outlandish and mundane. What are your fantasies? What would you like to happen, even if it's unlikely?

The following passage showed up in my memories today, and I thought that I'd share it again. I found it inspirational, and I hope that you also find it meaningful. Good night!

"I resolve to continue to be myself, and encourage others to reach for the best in themselves. To laugh often, long and loud and to never stop loving. Above all else, to rejoice in every moment of the day. Beginning, of course, with a fine breakfast. Life is too short to surround yourself with miserable people, bad food or sadness."



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cloyd

Image
I don’t know how to write this today.  Just yesterday I wrote that my dad was improving and strong; today he passed out, could not be resuscitated and died shortly before 12:30 ECT/EDT.  We are all reeling in shock.  It seems that this morning he woke as usual, had his breakfast, followed his morning routine and then just… stopped.  My sister called for an ambulance which arrived quickly (We’re essentially across the street from the hospital) and they tried reviving him; he was rushed straight in on arrival, where they continued to work on him for over half an hour, but he never revived.  My siblings who were there were texting throughout so that we (in Canada) were kept updated.  They showed us his body after everything was over, and he looks peaceful.  Thankfully, he experienced no pain or discomfort, just fell into unconsciousness.  He’s been moved from the hospital morgue to the funeral home while we try to settle on his final arrangements.  It’s so surreal; he was arguing and prot
Read more

Chemo

Image
First of all, happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating.  I wish your families peace and light in this season of miracles!  The first menorah candles were lit at sunset in City Hall today, and on the Hill, so I add my wishes to all of those.  It was bitterly cold today again, all of -18 when I had to head off to my appointment.  It’s also a record-setting day in Ottawa; we’ve had 59 consecutive hours of snowfall this week and it looks like it wants to try to break that record already.  It was the little fine, driving snow, which blows hard but doesn’t accumulate quickly; it’s dry enough to be brushed off, but the wind makes up for that!  Jerry curled up in my lap, shivering, and wouldn’t move on the way home.  Don was a superstar, taking me to the hospital and waiting… they told me it would be about an hour, but the chemo unit was running a bit late, plus there was all the fun of them saying that they didn’t have my blood work, so lots of excitement.  It worked out well, and I was about
Read more

The surprise!

Image
Gee, I look like my mom in this photo.  Although I suppose that I look like her anyway, but it stands out more here.  I’ll get more into this in a minute, I need to fill you in on other stuff.  First off, the weather is busy being Ottawa winter grey and gloomy, so it’s not encouraging in the slightest.  Dark when you wake up, overcast during the day, dark early… no wonder Jerry doesn’t want to be away from people and cuddles!  He’s perfectly happy to sit on a lap and be stroked when he’s not rampaging around playing with his toy!  Don didn’t sleep too well last night; according to him, he ‘missed his cue’ to go to bed and was awake for hours watching… yes, you guessed it!  He napped a little this morning, but I hope he’ll get a better rest tonight.  Although it’s Saturday, and that means… ๐Ÿ’ and tomorrow is ๐Ÿˆ so I’ll just dive into a book somewhere. Yesterday I went in to the hospital to do my blood transfusion.  There was a mixup… I got there and called for a porter and a wheelchair,
Read more