A Year to Contemplate

With the month of January already in full force and almost through it, I did think about how how the New Year can create possibilities that can be fruitful and take us to a new level of being. When I think back to the year that just ended, it was full of firsts for me. It was the year I decided to retire from work as a public servant of the State of California after more than 34 years. That decision did not come lightly, as I contemplated it for over a year before and with the stillness in the night, I kept listening to the whispers from God that kept nudging me to move forward with that decision. It was also a year that marked the loss of my beloved Siamese cat Diego, whom I had for over 18 years and if anyone has had pets in their lives, we all know how much they become part of our family that we sometimes take for granted that they will always be there with us. Diego got me through many tough days and nights, including the Pandemic which I became severly ill with at the beginning of 2021. When I think back to those days of feeling horribly ill with so many different symptoms that went on for almost 2 solid weeks, it was also a moment of enlightenment for me. During the many difficult nights of trying to sleep with many symptoms, Diego sat curled up next to me, never once fearing that he may have gotten infected with the disease. It was during this period of time that I lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time (because I lost my sense of smell and taste) and it opened my eyes to the fact that while I was severely overweight at the time, I needed to use this jump start to start living a healthier lifestyle. I ended up getting gastric bypass surgery almost 8 months after getting ill and went through many nutrition classes to help prepare me for that journey.  Thankfully, all went well and since then I did lose another person that was attached to my body it seems like, while finding joy in a new exercise which I absolutely love these days and that is lap swimming.  Over 5 years later, I am still working on better health and continue swimming almost everyday. It became my therapy along with exercise and I have never felt better in my adult years. I thought about all of these changes as I began writing this column and along with other new beginnings that occured this past year, was the adoption of my French Bulldog, Jack Ryan. He came into my life almost a month before I retired when a dear friend sent me a picture of him along with a short story of how his owner had to move out of state and could not take her dog to the new location. I met him on the 4th of July and he came home with me that same day, much to my surprise. He has certainly added a new dimension to my new life as a retiree, while giving me extra exercise everyday with all of the added walking that we now do.  Hence, looking back at the not too distant past while contemplating the brand new year ahead, has definitely given me much perspective about how quickly our lives can change in a short period of time. As I plan for what is to come in this new period ahead, I am also looking forward to turning 60 years old come June, God willing. My friends and I are planning a combined 60th destination birthday weekend which I am sure will be filled with lots of laughs and hopefully many new memories to make among them. As you think about what just transpired over the last year in your life and contemplate what is yet to come, I hope you do all of this with much gratitude that you were able to live as long as you have as well. I know many people within my own circle of friends and family who lost loved ones at a young age and are no longer among us. Remember that we are not guaranteed any days ahead, therefore we must live our best lives while we are still walking on this earth.  In the process, I hope you set some time for yourself to attain peace of mind and share some of your gifts with others as part of the legacy that you will leave behind when that time comes.  Until then, I wish all of you much prosperity, health, joy and laughter as you carve out new memories while remembering all of the great things that have been part of your life thus far.