Here's a picture of me and my six cousins on my mother's side (Dad was an only child.) We always called ourselves "the lucky seven." Every Thanksgiving we carried on at Aunt Rose's house in Syosset, LI, Rosh Hashanah was at Grandma's in Brooklyn, Passover at Aunt Evelyn's in Queens, and Hanukah at our house in North Bellmore, LI. Now the sisters and one cousin reside in our hearts. The rest of us have dug new roots in New York, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, but the distance doesn't separate us. Last night we spent two hours in our monthly Zoom gathering. Still lucky after all these years.

Autumn in My Life

 

After a particularly brilliant autumn, now we can see the distant mountains through the forest out back. Nighttime temperatures are beginning to linger into morning hours. And I'm looking forward to cozy time in my art studio, less influenced by the lure of outside activities. There are cycles in every aspect of nature and so around and around we go. 

 

The weeks fly by, the year falls behind me, and I'm floating on good feelings. It seems that the older I get, the more I'm content with who I am and all that I have today. I don't need a stuffed turkey or lights or gifts to heighten my gratitude. 

 

The anniversary of my liver transplant (November 20, 2006), reminds me how every moment, every person, every decision and action is precious. Don't postpone joy.