Tag Archives: 2015

Acoustic Neuroma Life – It’s a New Year

Fortune

Fortune

 

Welcome to 2015!

Years ago when I was too lazy to cook, my family established a holiday tradition of Chinese Food for our gatherings around the New Year. This year we added ice cream sundaes, which I have to say was a great pairing. We got together at 11:00 am to accommodate naptime for my grandsons, and celebrated that we were all able to get together at the same time with the exception of a nephew who had something more fun to do. Well, to clarify – everyone who lives in the USA (miss you Kendra & Adam).

I think fortune cookies are silly. But I am the first one to break them out after dinner. I always anticipate my “fortune”, which will be a prediction, stupid quote, or sappy “feel good” line. Yes, despite many disappointing fortunes, I love opening the little cookie and squinting, then searching for reading glasses, to read the tiny message. This year mine said:

“You will have good luck and overcome many hardships.”

Okay. . . that was contradictory – and true. In just reviewing the last year, I can see both.  Of course, we have to look back to brain surgery six years ago to see the biggest hardship that I’ve faced. Six years of chronic pain has not been fun. However, I recall loving life in 2014 and being present. I wake up in the morning, even with a now familiar groan of head pain, grateful for the opportunity to live another day. Every day that I live I appreciate in ways that I never took the time to do before.

I look back fondly at 2014. I gained a new grandson and my toddler grandson continued to become cuter all the time. (yea, hard to believe) I had some great interactions with other writers. I’ve had amazing encouragement and feedback from readers of my blog and book. I took up encaustic painting and also snapped a few pictures of our amazing world. I feel that I’ve had good luck. (oh, let’s not forget the amazing stick art that I’ve mastered for this blog)

Oh, yes, the hardships came too. I had a 12 day hospitalization for head pain and a brief return to Mayo for skull surgery with no answers for my headaches. And if that wasn’t enough, I broke my kneecap in Germany — BEFORE we make it to the Chocolate Museum (yes, really). In 2014 I lost my two “last” pets that saw me through some rough times – Gina the Italian Greyhound and Gabby the noisy cat.

I had the good luck to experience feelings.  Even though I don’t appreciate spending days in bed with a pillow over my head, it helps me feel lucky on days that allow me to enjoy life. I’ve learned to inhale and exhale.

2015 is starting out fresh. My knee is healed and I am delighted to be walking again. Every time I bend my leg, I smile.  Last year at this time I took my knee for granted. I have an empty house and fondly remember many pets throughout in my life. I find myself eager to get the next one despite an uncountable number of groans at cleaning up messes and being woken up to go outside in the midst of winter. Those pet headaches and groans have been far outnumbered by the number of looks, nudges, walks, and naps that I’ve had with wonderful four legged companions. While I grieve the loss of two more, I rub my hands together in anticipation of who will be next.

Yes, 2015 will bring good luck. . . and because it is LIFE I know there will be hardships that I will overcome.

Happy New Year!!