2023

In a about an hour it will be a new year.  I can honestly say that 2022 has not been the happiest of years!  It began with my extended stay in Ottawa after Cevyn's stepbrother committed suicide.  They shared a townhouse.  There were little annoyances such as the airline telling me that my flight to Ottawa was canceled in the summer.  After finding a spot on another airline, I got a message telling me that I was rebooked - on a direct flight.  The kicker was that the only part of my flight that was really canceled with from Montreal to Ottawa - a drive of less than 2 hours!  That is stuff that is irritating but not earthshattering.

When I was in Ottawa in the summer, my dear friend Jack ended up in the hospital.  When I got home, I found out that he was not going to survive.  I spent every afternoon for 3 weeks at the hospital with him and his partner Leslie. Then the worst of the worst, my niece's 17 year old grandson died of an overdose.  I call or text his mom almost every day.   

Then, Alena, our Ukrainian houseguest is getting depressed as she is having trouble finding a job that pays well enough - she is worried that she will have to go back home.  She is a lovely, rather shy 51 year old lady who is struggling with English.  She does well if she can relax but gets flustered easily.  We are happy to have her with us but she is feeling guilty.  It is so scary.  Her home is hit on a fairly regular basis.  Her mom, son and brother are still there.  She said that Putin's Christmas gift to them was more missiles.  When I feel really sorry for myself, I remind myself that we are safe and warm with running water and electricity!

So roll on 2023.  

L