I have had an especially difficult year. In truth, the last few years have had their share of hardship – the loss of Don still, some days, and the illness of a young son, always – unfathomable…to me, for them, and therefore, at times, unalterably heartbreaking.
Like many people, I have had mornings, and occasional afternoons, when I have not been able to pull myself out of bed, plant my feet on the floor and move forward.
In the past few months I don’t know what I would have done without family and friends who, unbidden and intuitive, made their way even further into my life and, without stating the obvious or even the vaguely obvious, persisted.
To those remarkable people I would like to offer my deepest thanks for having made these days bearable and redemptive.
To Sarah, for being the sort of daughter who makes me laugh, think, feel engaged, and for bringing Lainey so fully into my life and teaching her the importance of what it means to have a grandparent who loves her.
To Mike, for being a great neighbour, and a warm, endearing and funny friend, someone for whom no apologies or explanations are necessary, and for his partner, who is also my friend,
Stephan, who is lively, inclusive and passionate.
To Sheila, for making me feel as if I have relevance, talent and thoughts that are worth sharing, and with whom I cannot wait to visit, drink wine, play cards, climb hills and eat crackers and cheese.
To Sarah Mae and Noam, for knowing and remembering what Blue means to me, for calling me loveable, and for asking, and valuing, my opinions.
To Susan, for friendship that embodies more than generous sharing – of homes, help and ideas – and to
Christopher, who loves you enough to say, “Bring them along.”
To Eva, for being the kind of sister-in-law that I have always dreamt of: welcoming, committed and uncomplainingly accommodating, and to
David, for not rolling his eyes.
To Homer who, enduring cancer, did not hesitate to call my son to offer loving and hopeful support.
To Diana, for not only suggesting a night class, but for accepting my tentative recommendation, and for not laughing at my deplorable results.
To the book club women, for colourful email, expansive ideas and congenial conversation. And oh, those dinners!
To Sydney, for reminding me that the world needs people who, in her words, feel deeply (her thoughtful way of not calling me neurotic), and who so generously included herself in that moment and equation.
To Michelle, for asking, for telling and for sharing.
To Kathy, for
finally (
oh ye of little faith…)
introducing us to George, and for making your way to dinner in Fredericton –
on time.
To Lainey, for your questions, your answers, your hugs and your kisses, your sweetness, your wicked sense of humour and fierce independence, and most especially for the way you run and leap into my arms.
To Blue, who really does walk more than a little bit like Frankenstein, for being edible, adorable, squeezable and loving.
To Isabella, for reading the card over and over and over again.
To Wayson, for always saying yes.
To Joe, who made me laugh so hard all those years ago, and for liking, and putting forward, my story. You have no idea.
To Zach, who is new to my life this year, for making me feel as if my writing has merit and for trusting me with yours. You are a terrific person with whom to share stories and meaningful moments.
To the person from Newfoundland, who submitted the very first entry, for your daring, your endeavour and your desire to make a difference.
To anyone, and everyone, who reads my blog and comes back, because I think you understand that not everything a person writes has everything to do with herself.
To Fran, whose death this year serves as a steady reminder of what it means to have had, and to have lost, a favourite mentor, and who, though many could not, accepted me just as I am.
And finally, and most gratefully,
to Mary – for everything else.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. May your turkeys sizzle, your wine sparkle, and may the joy of family and friends spill over through all of your tomorrows.
