Well, since Richard produced his own end-of-the-year recap – and Christmas wish – I suppose I should follow suit. And in so many ways, this has been a crazy, hectic, frustrating, and sad one. But when we look back, that can likely be said of most years – especially as we grow older. Happy events like weddings and big birthdays are countered by funerals and health issues. I’m not one much for dwelling on the past, though I’m not ignoring it either. I consider myself a life plodder, moving from life event to life event, dealing in the now – mostly because that’s how I’ve always operated. My focus is today and the future because I can’t do anything about the past. That said, however, now is as good a time as any to review 2018.
Of course, my blogbirth occurred right after Christmas 2017 as I was continuing recovery from my double hernia surgery prior to Thanksgiving that year. So, I started 2018 learning WordPress and populating my blog with fun and interesting writings. I’m not sure what I thought it would look like then (and I still struggle with that now), but I enjoyed FINALLY having an outlet for the words that needed to pour forth from my brain. I truly believe that I am a nonfictionalist (new word!) at heart (as in longer nonfiction works), but I still lack the necessary discipline to complete those types of writings. This blog is a step in that direction, but a goal for the coming year is to finish an old project – one that I really like – and get it on the market.
My mom’s passing in February was the culmination of a long, slogging battle with Alzheimer’s. People experienced with this disease always note that survivors suffer two deaths, the physical one and the personal one. My mom, as her true person, started disappearing in 2013, and by the summer of 2015 was almost completely gone. From that point on, we would catch glimpses of her aura and personality from time to time, but after a broken hip and surgical repair from a fall in April of 2017, she was all but gone. I was still visiting her several times a week – usually to bring lunch of something that I knew she would like and eat – but the conversations were one-sided and typically relegated to nods and one word responses. The physical death was still jarring – as they always are – but I felt a relief for her because the long struggle had finally ended.
As happens in life, sorrow was followed by joy as Jane and I attended a pair of Florida weddings in March. The first was in Key Largo, where the daughter of good friends married her long-time beau in a beautiful lagoon-side ceremony – that was humorously punctuated by a couple of curious jet skiers. We thoroughly enjoyed our bayside bungalow and the comfortably warm temperatures and beauty of the Keys. The second wedding occurred in Orlando and involved my niece from my wife’s side of the family. I had a much more personal stake in this one not only because it was my niece, but also because she and her husband-to-be asked me to officiate the ceremony. Though I’ve been a life-long performer in so many ways, I have to admit being a little intimidated by having to string a few words together for my niece and her husband – without being sarcastic, cynical, and funny – and then delivering those words in front of their friends and family. Okay, so I couldn’t help being a little funny, but it seemed appropriate, and I may have even passed on some sage advice to them – and my captive audience. Oh, and in case you need an officiant for your Florida wedding – and don’t mind a little humor and sarcasm – I am available for the price of a few beers, a couple of cigars, and a nice pre-wedding meal.
View from the doorstep of our Key Largo bungalow
In June, family and friends celebrated Richard’s 90th birthday (which he has already shared), but I’ll add that it was good to have the entire family together. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen often enough because of travel and schedules, so we really appreciate when the stars align and allow for it – or when Richard has a 90th birthday party!
In July, I was off to Scotland again for a little golf and juvenile activity with seven good friends. Though suffering with my ailing back, I was able to play some respectable golf on the west and east coasts (Ayr and St. Andrews) – and eat (and drink) my way through several pubs and distilleries. Those of you who love history would appreciate Greenan Castle in Ayr; Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh; and Blackfriars Chapel, St. Andrews Castle, St. Andrews Cathedral, and the Church of St. Mary on the Rocks, all in St. Andrews. And for those who care, these are some of the courses I played: St. Nicholas (Ayr), Prestwick (Ayr – and awesome!), Duddingston (Edinburgh), Golf House (Elie – always a fav), Castle (St. Andrews – and one of the hardest courses I’ve ever played), New Course (St. Andrews), Kingsbarns (just southeast of St. Andrews – which is spectacular), and Crail Balcomie (also southeast of St. Andrews – also awesome!). If you’re a golfer and haven’t done so already, pencil a Scotland trip to your bucket list.
The beauty of Kingsbarns — and Gary Wise’s backswing
In October, Jane and I took long weekend trip to southwestern Pennsylvania to celebrate her birthday. This is an area we have toured before, but it was nice to revisit some familiar places (Fort Necessity National Battlefield and its refurbished visitor center, Ohiopyle Falls and State Park) and add some new experiences (Flight 93 National Memorial and a stay at the spooky Captain’s Watch Inn near Greensboro, PA). Unfortunately, we were quite limited in what we could do because of my back, but it was fun to be on “vacation” even for three short days.
The view from Baughman Rock overlook in Ohiopyle State Park, Pennsylvania
Since that weekend in early October, my sole focus turned to resolution for my physical issues. I won’t bore you with those details here – though you can read about them in an earlier posting. Suffice it to say, I am following protocol now by completing twenty sessions of physical therapy (which is strengthening my core but not surprisingly doing nothing for the damaged L5 and crushed S1 in my lower back). Surgery will follow sometime in February and hopefully reduce my pain to allow me a return to my life.
That said, I wish all of you happy holidays! Enjoy the company of your family and friends – and then try to maintain those feelings throughout the year. Happiness is sustained through relationships – not things – so resolve to be a better friend and person. That is one gift that definitely won’t disappoint!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from this Dreaded Elf
The unique Dime Store Poets, another Austin band
