A Much Needed Break

2023 has been a topsy-turvy year, filled with good things and bad.  I am thankful for the good things, and sincerely happy to be looking ahead. 

My business partner has been having some medical issues since the first week of August.  She has mostly been off work, only teaching for a couple of hours one day a week.  She, like most women, liked to think she is Superwoman and able to do All The Things.  Realistically, this is not so.  

This means that I have been running the shop pretty much by myself for four months.  This was hard work 17 years ago when I opened.  Being slightly (?) more busy now than then, it has become exponentially more difficult.  The last four months have raced by in a blur — work, sleep, work, sleep.  

I am NOT complaining about my partner’s absence.  I much prefer her to take the time necessary for a full recovery.  She is my best friend and I want her around for many, more years.  

Another truly dreadful experience for 2023 was September, when my son contracted Valley Fever.  He was misdiagnosed and treated incorrectly for just over a week, which nearly cost him his life.  Thankfully, his lovely wife was persistent and vocal with the medical staff and kept me closely informed of all developments.  Finally a qualified lung doctor came on the scene, correctly diagnosed the issue and started the proper course of meds.  Son is recovering, but still has a long way to go.

The best, joyful parts of 2023 were truly joyful.  Son came to Michigan from Arizona with his fiancée and her little boy.  Doug and I traveled over and got to visit for a weekend with them.  The weather was dreadful — freezing rain and all that flows from that — but family reunions made up for it all.

The son was married at the end of July.  I flew down to Arizona and a great time was had by all.  He was patient and waited, and the Right One showed up in his life at the right time.  

My elder sister in Missouri has been battling a lung cancer recurrence for two years.  Her oncologist has advised that if her bucket list included travel, 2023 was the year to do so.  She has always wanted to see a Univ of Mich football game at The Big House (also known as the home stadium).  My youngest brother arranged tickets, and the extended family descended on Dad’s.  The Wolverines won and the weather was conducive to travel.  Sadly, my youngest sister was not able to attend (lingering sinus infection), but the rest of us (5 siblings) had a joyful reunion weekend.  We have hopes for next fall.  As we all know, life comes with no guarantees. 

The final and best thing 2023 brought was a new grand-daughter.  My daughter and her husband welcomed a sweet baby girl on December 1st.  Getting to the post-delivery stage was a bit fraught, but the complications amounted to a hill of beans.  Everyone is now healthy and happy. 

And so the year of socks comes to a close.  I bring you this picture — a family tradition being carried forward.