Well, the old year is in the books (yep, yep, yep!) and here we are, right on the edge of the new year, waiting to see what’s coming on the other side. Here it is, January second; already I’ve heard from a friend of mine that he has lost a long-time mentor and friend. A shame. We seem to be losing friends faster these days – friends our age and younger. How much time we have left, well, I’m in the process of seeing how much more time I can gain by exercise and listening to the right doctors.
So far this month, my scorecard is filled. At least on Wednesdays.
Coming up the day after tomorrow, I see my Primary Care Physician. Next week, I get a CAT scan and blood work in anticipation of more blood work and a visit with the cancer specialist the following week. My final Wednesday appointment will be with my Optometrist. She’ll likely send me next door with a prescription for new glasses. If I want to see what’s going on, I sure would like to be able to see what’s going on. Come October, I will see the Ophthalmologist to see how soon I need to have my cataracts looked after.
Hopefully, I will be able to die at a ripe old age by gunshot from a jealous lover. Dad wanted to go that way. As it is, he will miss his 100th birthday by 29 years. He thought that he might be able to copy the wish of his Uncle Johnny, who promised to “Kill an ox and invite everyone I know to the party.” Uncle Johnny missed his 100th by only a year and a half.
Dad was looking forward to his Uncle Johnny’s party. Dad’s 100th will be January 12th. Looks like I will celebrate the occasion by going to EfM (Education for Ministry) and maybe calling one of my siblings.
With the new year, I’m taking my time to be thankful for some of what went on in the past year. I’m thankful that my visits to the cancer specialist are largely an opportunity for her to tell me (again) that there’s nothing to worry about – that the bump in the road I had in 2021 was nothing more than a bump in the road. I’m being thankful in lieu of feeling guilty that my cancer was easily taken care of while a friend of mine had been undergoing intensive treatment for most of the past year. Thankfully, her doctor told her that her cancer appeared to have disappeared, just in time for Christmas.
I’m thankful that I was able to travel to Ohio for my 50th high school reunion. I was able to connect with quite a few friends I had lost touch with while finding new friends I didn’t realize I had.
There are many other thanksgivings I could cite, as well as many others I may not realize I had.
As far as 2023 goes, I have a lot to look forward to. There are adventures afoot and people with whom I can share those adventures.
Here’s to all the adventures you, the reader, will have in the coming year.
Be Seeing You!
bdharrellauthor 