Things I Learned in 2018

The School of Life continues to be in session and these are a few of 2018's lessons:

Being an armchair citizen who votes in every election is not nearly enough. 

I am an excellent dog sitter, especially when the dog lives in Oahu.  

In the very long list of colossally unfair things that Life tosses at us, childhood brain cancer ranks very high.  https://thecurestartsnow.org/donate

Anger is Fear's voice. (I learned this a long time ago but relentlessly struggle with it)

Fear is a beast. (Ditto on the above struggle)

My daughter's gift of a Restorative Yoga class has made me reconsider yoga.

Saying my age and being grateful for Life are difficult to hold separately but when I pair the two, they support each other.

Locking car keys in the trunk while on vacation opens up the world of Sunday bus transportation schedules along with the loveliness of strangers willing to help.

Wedding officiating rocks.

Standing and screaming at Broad and Ritner in South Philly while the Super Bowl Champion Eagles stop in front of us to ingest all of the love is difficult to top.  

High-fiving "Poet Laureate for the day" Jason Kelce in all his Mummer glory comes close. 

Little crocheted wreath pins bring joy and my Grandmom Elizabeth's magnificent spirit continues to inspire me.  

Six-year-old kiddos get me. 

Watching my brother deliver a story at a Moth Story Slam takes my breath away. 

Audiobooks in the authors' voices are incredibly satisfying.

Nationalism is 'white speak' for racism. 

Origami is one more creative outlet pour moi.

A grand nephew is, among other things, a bundle of reassurance about this world. 

My "death row meal" is a bottomless bowl of steamed crabs resting atop homemade pasta with white wine and anchovy sauce enjoyed at the shore in August with loved ones.

Liz Gilbert, Glennon Doyle, Brene Brown, Cheryl Strayed, Jesmyn Ward, Ruth Bader Ginsburg always have an open invitation to dinner at my home.  My fantasy table is already crowded and I delight in the increasing boisterous assemblage of women. 

I am stealing this from another's FB post because I love it so: I am donating any of my body's organs to Ruth Bader Ginsberg, even if I am still alive.

A 90-minute, no intermission, a whisper of a show can win the 2018 Tony for Best Musical. Here is the finale to the glorious, "I would see it again and again" The Band's Visit.  It is a gorgeous plea for connection - my sweet spot. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXrwqtztFtU

 

 Thank you for reading this year-end vanity project.  

Your kindness is felt and treasured.