As the year rolls round and 2001 passes into history I get the feeling I'm the only person who doesn't think it was the worst year ever. There were some hard things that happened, I'm painfully aware of that. My beloved dog Dixie passed away suddenly, I had ear problems that affected my hearing and balance most of the year, I developed panic attacks and had a frightening reaction to medication for it, terrorism and anthrax stole lives along with security and complacency. My ten year career teetered wildly for a while as America cancelled vacation plans and airlines cancelled flights or went out of business.
But I also had a good year. John and I traveled to Mexico and Hawaii, and continued to enjoy puttering around our very own home. My best friend Denise and I spent some great times together, shopping and talking and going to a play, our time all the more precious because she is so busy now as a photographer, a long cherished dream for her. We've been friends for, well, let's just say our friendship would be going to college this fall if it were a person. I continued to have fun hanging out with Michael Rawdon regularly, and kept in touch with local diarists Sei Shonagon, Mo Pie, Jen Wade, and Michael Walsh although I didn't see them as often (in fact, Mo and I interact almost entirely through email but dammit, that's going to change). As a special bonus, I spent a lot of time with Shelly Ross and Trish Homis, and I want to tell you how much they rock. Their generosity of spirit and wry intelligence was greatly appreciated in times of stress.
I got A's in all four classes I took in 2001 while working full time and maintaining a busy social life. I'm proud of myself for that accomplishment, even if I occasionally wigged out in the middle of the balancing act. If anyone out there thinks getting A's at a community college is any different than getting A's at a university, I'm here to tell you you're wrong. I've been to both and they're no different. Okay, the classes are often smaller, but that's definitely in the community colleges' favor.
I went back to therapy for the panic attacks and finally, finally came to grips with a problem that's been undermining my happiness for years. Along the way I discovered a lot about myself that I didn't know, much of it exciting and inspiring. It's already making a huge difference in my life. I have a long way to go, but I finally understand what road I'm on.
I made peace with my brother when he got out of jail in March. We're trying, very tentatively, to establish more frequent contact and avoid the known pitfalls. Our meeting point is art; we're encouraging each other to paint. I surprised my sister in October with a beautiful piece of jewelry for her birthday. She loves jewelry as much as I do. Once in a while I remember that I'm the big sister and my siblings had to put up with an awful lot from me growing up. The least I can do is be a decent human being now that we're all adults.
2001 is the year I finally did something about my health and joined both a gym and Weight Watchers. I brought my cholesterol levels down from frightening to just outside of normal. It's also the year I decided to gracefully close a lengthy chapter of my life entitled, "I'm Not Really Smart Because I Don't Have a College Degree" and opted to focus on obtaining an A.A. this year instead of a B.A. in five years; as I say, I feel just fine about getting a degree from a community college.
No, I really don't think of 2001 as being a terrible year. It was a year of change, and change is always uncomfortable if not outright painful. I think it was a very important year for me. So if 2001 was a bad year for you, I'm sorry. I hope the new year brings you everything your heart desires.
Happy New Year. Thank you for reading Aries Moon.
The Index
Next Incarnation