Begin Again
Happy New Year! A year of new beginnings for everyone!
It is simply astonishing how mother time literally ‘flies by’ from one day, to a week, to a month, to a new year.
In my opinion, a new year is a time to reflect on the past, and to welcome new beginnings.
Essentially, we all get to begin anew.
A Year of Reflection
As I reflect on 2022, it was a year filled with happiness, sorrow, success and loss.
Surgeries
I underwent three major surgeries and lived to tell the tale.
To be clear, I had a total hip replacement and got a new nose. But wait, that is only two surgeries.
Nose Job
As they say, why have one nose job when you can have two in one year. I opted for the latter choice and had a second nose job in one year.
Why? Why not? Like I have nothing better to do with my time or nose, than to have another surgery under general anesthesia. Omg! Why go on a vacation to Maui, if you can stay at home and have a second nose job surgery in a year.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would have two nose jobs on my virginal 57 year old nose. Really. Like who would? Too bad my second surgery was not featured on the television show ‘Botched’.
I am pleased to say that at 58, the second nose job is the charm. I can finally, finally breathe and received the ‘shiksha goddess’ nose I always wished for.
And if you were wonderin’, a shiksha goddess’ nose is dainty, with a hint of royalty. A fantasy come true for this mama. This Gay is now a Queen.
I certainly never wish bad things on people, however, to the first Doctor who botched the first nose job: As my Grandma Sylvia would say, “…I hope you rot in hell”. And then she would spit on him. True, she would say that, and if the opportunity presented itself, would spit on him. My Grandma Ida would have put a curse on him. Ahh, the gold ‘ole days. Vengeance was simple.
Hip Replacement Surgery
As for my new hip, I love it! Replacement body parts are the new fad!
However, too bad my new hip is not bionic. If it were, I could finally ski expert moguls in the back bowls of Vail, CO.
Blessings of Family
In addition to the annuls of 2022, I am blessed to witness and share in the lives of my children, grandchildren, niece, and my ‘adopted’ children. The love, the laughter, the arguing. Again, the simple pleasures of life.
Loss of a Forever Friend
However, with all the good times, comes the sad times. There has to be the yin and yang.
I lost my BFF, my Sistah from anotha’ motha’, Faith.
Faith
Faith passed away in the early morning hours of December 31, 2021. I lost a piece of my heart that day. I believe when someone you dearly love passes, you lose a part of yourself.
We were the same age; grew up on Long Island; and raised our children in the same town on the East End of Long Island. We shared the same values; both fearless and had a deep love of life and family.
The only difference was that Faith was always so goddamn mellow and chill. Quite the opposite of yours truly; I am akin to a hurricane rolling into town.
And that my friends is the yin and yang that forever binds us together.
Each day of 2022 represented a new day without Faith. Similar to fresh tracks in snow.
So I write about her to keep her memory alive, to literally ‘keep the faith’.
To be clear, Faith would not want another tear shed on her behalf; she would request that her daughters, husband, family and ‘Team Faith’ continue to move forward and embrace life. As I shall.
My heart will heal, and I too shall begin anew.
Cheers
I ask all of you to raise your proverbial glass to life. L’chaim to 2023!
