Thank goodness that overall…2021 was less of a shit show than 2020…but still…
First, January started out with the invasion of the Capital. To keep my moments of zen going…there will be no additional words on that topic.
Besides my gardening, I tried to fill my year with a variety of art classes to keep my mind occupied. Of course the introduction of the vaccines in March was so welcomed!
It was a surreal experience to drive to the Glendale Stadium here in the Phoenix to receive our vaccines. The process was so well orchestrated and the experience with everyone there reminded me what we encountered for a brief period after 9/11. Remember when people acted with so much kindness after the attacks in 2001? We shared our common humanity. Unfortunately, the vaccine added yet even more fuel to the political fire and divided our country even more.
A huge positive for the year was finally adding air travel back into the mix after being vaccinated. In April, I was able to visit my mom in her nursing facility in Virginia. I desperately wanted to see her after the year of lockdown due to Covid. In May I returned to celebrate her birthday and Mother’s Day. Added to that visit was spending time with another one of my most favorite beings on earth (my son) in NYC.
From a health perspective, I became the recipient of pulsatile tinnitus. Lucky me. Had it not started prior to the vaccines, I would’ve always wondered if it was related. Just another add to the already existing sleep challenges! Then after a summer of constant evening swims, my IT Band became a big thorn in my daily life. I’d never experienced such a burning type of pain radiating from my knee up to my hip. The good news was that two months of physical therapy – three times a week – worked!
In August it was a trip to the incredible otherworldly country of Iceland. It was comforting to know that everyone on the plane was vaccinated and a very high percentage of Icelanders were as well. In November there was a wonderful respite with dear friends to celebrate birthdays at Hungry Mother Park and Mountain Lake in Virginia, as well as another visit with my mom!
I’m not a huge Christmas fan, as it has become so commercialized. However, having my son come to visit and watching him decorate the Christmas tree (the first in I don’t know how many years) and enjoying a meal with great friends made the perfect ending to another stressful year. A bonus was the arrival of my new Subaru after months of being on order!
Definitely there were lots of good things that happened in 2021, but hopefully 2022 will be better by getting back to life pre-Covid…assuming there is such a thing!
I don’t know why I never saw this post, Robin, but here it is, telling about a year that is now already a year old! And another year, 2022, is about to close. You know how I feel about all the political news, understanding exactly what you’re thinking and hating and loving. How is it possible that we’re all still alive, I wonder! Or maybe I should say, how is it possible that SOME people are still alive, after all the turmoil they have wreaked!
You’ve had your own physical challenges, I see. Getting old(er) is such a bit**, as we say. But as long as we have good enough health to continue doing what we love, we are most blessed, aren’t we. I love that while “it’s” not gone, we’re over the worst of the COVID crisis and can travel like we want. It was wonderful for US to follow you on the Iceland trip, enjoying your own experience to our advantage. Thank you.
Now that 2023 is on our doorstep, may we have the grace, energy, know-how, inspiration, wisdom, and fortitude to grab the bull by the horns and experience LIFE to the full. You continue to inspire me with all your show-n-tell posts on Instagram. You’re one very creative woman!
Thanks so much Ginnie for your note! I’m just feeling my way back to my blog and have kept it kinda undercover as I work through some of the technical issues that continues to be way above my head, ha! I will keep you posted as time progresses! xo
I hadn’t seen this post either until I went out and checked for new blog postings. I just subscribed again to receive notifications when you do new blog postings so we well see if I will get the notifications going forward. I so agree the 2021 was a better year than 2020 in many ways, but I’m praying for 2023 to be even better yet! XoXo