Goodbye 2023.
This time last year, I was just home from my second heart attack of December 2022, and it would be a few months before I really got my feet back under me….but here I am. Truly happy when I open my eyes, truly happy. I snuck by for another turn around the sun.
It was my first year away from the place I worked for almost thirty years; the place I was going to work for a year while I finished college, then get a real job. A place that I allowed to consume me, but also afforded me a good living…a nice house, cars and trucks and toys; the ability to chase tournaments for several years. The place that my Joy would argue I almost let kill me.
Joy also says that I am a much different person de-Trane’d. I don’t know for sure. I feel different, better, lighter, calmer for sure…so there is that, but I am so much more aware of the hourglass than ever before. I am fairly certain that there is more in the bottom than the top…but I have learned to live like I got to flip it over and do a restart. I have to…or what would be the meaning?
I know the inevitable end to our journey, but I spent 2023 trying to focus on today.
What can I do today, what little thing can I do to make a difference? Naively trying to rebalance the karma that chases me, but hopeful that I can at least stay ahead of it for a few more days. Maybe.
In 2023 I learned what it was like to not work or get a check for the first time since…hell, I can’t remember. Attended my first protests in Nashville – taking many photos, went to a Montgomery County Democratic Party meeting, volunteered to help those affected by the tornado, caught a smallmouth in Wells Creek, applied for a part time job, fished Cherokee in east Tennessee, went to Chicago and Maine. Ate so many lobster rolls that I didn’t want any more, ate too many gummies on a rainy day – so many that I didn’t want any more.
Learned to make Korean sticky chicken, vodka sauce, sourdough bread (made the starter too), yeast bread…cook healthier. Found out I really like a peach salsa with poblano peppers on fish tacos…amazing what lower stress time allows.
Trimmed all the trees and put in a watering system for the plants in the back yard. Put a new roof on the house – well, watched them do it, crushed a garage door and had it replaced (my bad), and learned how to replace a septic tank pump – did that one myself…nasty…I do not recommend it.
We said goodbye to some family and friends, made some new friends…decided there were some toxic people in our lives that we just didn’t need to tolerate; not any longer. Spent as much time with the grandkids as our schedules allowed, and with their parents.
But mostly lived, breathing out smiling.
So, into 2024 we go…with hopes…
Hope to…
…wake up every day – setting the bar there has taken so much stress from my life
…write more – maybe that book about corporate America and it’s flaws? Or that novel about my alien visitors as a child? Hmmmm…maybe try to get paid again for writing?
…take more photos – I miss capturing the world trough a lens
…fish more for fun – but I am a tournament junkie, so I will be at some for sure
…camp with the little ones – but not alone…learned that the hard way!
…finish all the half done stuff around the house – before Joy reminds me again
…trust in what the days bring – yes.
…do some good and leave it out in the universe (maybe erase some bad I have done????????)
…volunteer more – Joy and I have been blessed
…but mostly, live. And breathe out smiling.
Topwater Moon 