Saturday, December 31, 2022

new year's eve 2022

This is a first for me, writing a post two days in a row...but I wanted to reflect a bit on 2022. As usual at this time of year, I go through my journal and planner and jot down the important happenings, sad events, and highlights of the year. One hearbreaking thing was losing Monkey in February. We had to let him go due to lymphoma in his nasal cavity that came on suddenly. I still miss my big, fluffy "boo" deeply. My heart aches when I see his photos. I miss running my hand gently through that beautiful floof on his belly.


In March, we lost Brian's father. He was in his upper 80's and in poor health, so his death wasn't a surprise, but naturally, it was still upsetting and sad. And one of my best friends lost both of her parents this year ~ her mom in January and her dad in December. 


Of course, 2022 brought plenty of good things, too...a weekend girlfriend's trip; our front yard got some sorely needed professional landscaping; I was able to trap a stray mama kitty and one of her kittens in my back yard ~ and a friend fostered until they were adopted; I had a fantastic 60th birthday; got to spend quality time with my cousin and her 7-year old daughter who flew in this summer from Tacoma, WA; Tim came home for a visit in October; I discovered a (new-to-me) poet's group in a nearby town. 


I don't make New Year's resolutions, but one of the things I would like to do in 2023 is to take weekend trips and visit Tim in California. We haven't been able to take weekend trips or go to California because of Clementine. With her being in stage 4 kidney disease, she needs constant care and subcutaneous fluids, so we can't leave her alone or even have a cat sitter. We know she'll be crossing the Rainbow Bridge in 2023, but of course, we have no idea when. In fact, we're surprised she's made it through the end of this year. When she was diagnosed with kidney disease over five years ago, the vet said she'd probably live only another 1-1/2 years. Then when she lost a fang this past February and we declined major dental surgery for her, the vet dentist said that her gums would get majorly infected from the tooth loss and that at best, she'd probably only live another three months. She not only never got an infection from losing the fang, but she's still with us. Clem definitely has "nine lives"!


Tonight, New Year's Eve, we will be staying home. I haven't been to a New Year's Eve party in about 15 years and I have no desire to go to one again. Not that any of my friends have parties anymore at our age! 😜 A friend invited me and some other girlfriends over for snacks and games and I even declined that invitation. I much prefer to stay safely home in my pajamas, order good food (Thai take-out tonight), have a glass of wine, play some board games, then cuddle up on the couch to watch a movie. Stay up til midnight? Perhaps. I normally go to bed around 11:30 PM, so staying up til midnight would be no big deal. To me, it doesn't hold any appeal and is just another day. How about you?

Thank you for reading my blog in 2022, for your lovely comments, and for your friendship and support. I am thankful for all of you. 

10 comments:

  1. Wishing you a Happy New Year! I have a soft spot in my heart for kitties. Hope Clementine continues to do ok.

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  2. Happy new year my longtime cyber friend ❤️
    We are staying in. We had an early supper out and are home in our pjs. I certainly don’t want to be on the road with all the celebrators.
    I have not been able to comment on most blogs for so long but I changed some settings and was so happy to see I am linked up again to comment as myself.

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  3. Happy New Year, Melanie. I love how you found the good of the last year, in the midst of challenges. I hope you can get out to California to visit Tim more often as you hope to in the New Year. Charly and I got Chinese take-out for New Year's Eve dinner and then we watched an episode of Harry and Meghan on Netflix, while taking our Christmas tree down. We really know how to party. ;-) I usually get up at 5 a.m. on school days (I teach high school) so my 9:30 or 10 p.m. I am pretty much completely done for the day, but I have been sleeping in a bit on vacation so we may stay up a bit later tonight and read or watch TV. Enjoy New Year's Day. See you again soon!

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  4. Clementine sure has proven them all wrong. Bless her. Must be very difficult for your friend to begin and end the year with the loss of a parent. May she find comfort and peace. You already know I was in pajamas early in the evening but stayed up late finishing the book I was reading. Went to bed at 11:30 pm but the fireworks started at midnight so that kept me up for a while longer. May you have all your heart's desires in 2023. Blessings to you and yours.

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  5. I have a great deal of compassion for your friend, who lost both of her parents in the same year.
    Sending you a lot of love as you begin this year knowing Clementine will cross the Rainbow Bridge at some point. I'm sure that realization was painful.
    Your New Year's Eve sounded lovely. ❤️

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  6. The photo of Monkey is sweet. Ear scritches to your little cutie, Clemmie. Wishing you all a very Happy new Year.

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  7. I don't stay up till midnight. Monkey's face was so sweet. Hope Clem hangs on as long as she can. Makes me want to cry every time you mention her. Pets are best friends, to me at least. Still not over losing Gracie so suddenly and inexplicably.
    Brenda

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  8. Hello Melanie
    I’m sorry about your kitties health woes. All your kitties have been most fortunate to live in your comfy home and have your care.
    I hope you get to go to CA. It’s a beautiful state with amazing weather.

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  9. Happy New Year. Clem is so well loved that she is not ready to say goodbye just yet. May the new year bring you and Brian lots of good health, happiness and you find joy in each day. I hope for many trips to see Tim for you in the future too. I know these holidays can be hard with one son living far away and the other one in heaven. I know those trips in the future will be so fun and heartwarming. Hugs. Kris

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  10. Happy New Year, Melanie. One of my co-workers is on her way to the vet's to say goodbye to her cat right now. Like you, she has a tender heart for kitty cats and currently has 9 of them. I know it is so sad to watch them suffer. I hope Clem is with you a good while longer. When the time comes, it seems a trip to visit your son would be a welcome event. Wishing you all the best in 2023.

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