Comfort and Joy

Those of you who are aware of my historical relationship with the holidays may be surprised to learn that, despite a year filled with challenges, I’m even less Grinchy this year than last. If this keeps up, in a few years you might find me caroling outside your door with a Santa cap and jingle bell earrings. Why the change? I think I was already headed in this direction thanks to my total avoidance of the commercialization and forced togetherness of the season coupled with my new habit of looking for joy even in the darkest of times. This year, that has been turbocharged by what is surely a Christmas miracle: five days ago, overnight, the invisible knife that had been tearing up my sacroiliac joint for five and a half months just disappeared. Sure, I’m still channeling the Tin Man, but I am suddenly free of constant, excruciating pain, and I can’t imagine ever again taking that for granted. So, that is my favorite miracle, to head up this list of 2024 favorites.

Favorite book(s):  Impossible to pick just one. I read so much fiction, and I don’t retain plots for long, but I know that if I gave something a 5-star rating, I found it exceptional. Those were: The Wedding People, by Alison Espach; Finding Margaret Fuller, by Allison Pataki; The Life Impossible, by Matt Haig; The Heart’s Invisible Furies, by John Boyne; Tell Me Everything, by Elizabeth Strout; and Small Joys, by Elvin James Mensah. And my two favorite non-fiction books were published on the same day: Splinters, by Leslie Jamison and This American Ex-Wife, by Lyz Lenz.

Favorite movie: Wicked. Nothing else has even come close. The sets, the makeup, the costumes, the singing. Incredible.

Favorite TV series: Monsters (The Menendez Brothers Story). I tuned in thinking this would be yet another true crime rehash and stayed for the incredible acting of all involved.

Favorite quote: “All miracles begin with a hopeless mess or bad news…” (Anne Lamott)

Favorite online game: The New York Times Spelling Bee. While I enjoy their other games, none compare. Which is why it’s my reward, along with coffee, for my morning workout, meditation, and journaling.

Favorite trip:  Although injury canceled a number of plans and made it my only trip, I’m quite sure the river cruise through the Seine would have been my hands down favorite anyway. I’m still savoring those memories.

Favorite outing:  A visit to the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, a breathtaking oasis hidden in the town next to mine. Not sure why it took me nine years to get there.

Favorite purchase:  Promover yoga pants. Don’t let the “yoga” part fool you. I’ve been living in these pull-on gems that drape rather than strangle my body. First, they are virtually indestructible, repelling wrinkles, dog hair, and all but the gnarliest of stains. Second, I can wear them with sneakers and a T-shirt or heels and a nice blouse. My daily dilemma of what to wear is solved.

Favorite new treat: Yasso frozen Greek yogurt bars. (Mint, coffee, or raspberry chocolate chip; hard to decide). Delicious dairy with a shot of protein, all guilt-free.

Favorite organizing project:  Refreshing the kitchen, in which I spent a couple of days methodically removing everything from each cabinet or drawer, removing any unwanted items, and cleaning before returning everything to its place. Not exciting, but my favorite because it was how I managed to hold onto my sanity in the days immediately following the election.

Favorite post I wrote:  Saying Goodbye. It was the most difficult one to write, and also the most healing. Second Runner Up: No Thank You.

Favorite lines from my journals: 

“It was so much easier when there was a villain—even if it was me.”

“When I first started writing my memoir, I thought I was ‘done’, as if healing and gaining emotional maturity were a destination where, when you arrived, you took off your armor and relaxed on your throne with your feet up.”

“I come from

old stones and bright sun

chaos and passion

love twisted by rage”

Favorite new routine:  Walking the mile to the CWP’s apartment. This is actually the modified return of an older routine which was interrupted by a combination of withering heat and then injury. I used to make the walk daily to do errands or work in a coffee shop or just meander. Now I’m walking to my daughter’s apartment to help her out, hang out, or grab the car that we share.

The house is modestly decorated, the few gifts are wrapped, and joy abounds. Wishing everyone the happiest of holidays.

***

I’d love it if you shared some of your favorites of the year!