The year that just ended is hard to characterize. We spent far too much time chewing over the jaw-dropping spectacle that is our national government. We bored friends with the stories of our Maine cottage adventure. We confronted advancing age and growing health concerns.
However, 2018 also gave us great music in New York and St. Paul, Louise’s retirement, a much-needed trip to Palm Beach in February, the near-completion of our Maine house, chances to see old friends and family, and numerous visits from our out-of-town children. It appears that they worry about us and feel the need to check in more frequently than in the past. We do not correct their view of our situation and accept with gratitude whatever motivates them to hop on planes from Portland and Seattle.
Like us, Mitzi the Cat is getting older. She can’t leap tall buildings or jump onto kitchen stools the way she once did. She even deigns to let us pick her up so she can get on the unmade bed or the warm shelf above the radiator. In short, she has become more mellow, possibly reflecting the relaxed attitude we are trying to adopt in the face of so much craziness outside our safe Minneapolis enclave.
And that is what we wish for everyone in 2019—relaxation, safety and the ability to find joy in moments big and small.
