At this time
of year, I usually write a Christmas letter to send with
my cards in order to keep in touch with the many friends,
often thought of but seldom seen. Since writing this column,
I feel that also includes readers … some of whom I’ve
met, but many who I only know from their nice letters or
e-mails.
This year has rushed by like
a runaway train, the months blending together the way towns
blur and merge together when seen from a train window.
Immediately following Christmas last year, we added "Suki,"
an adorable Siamese (now 2 years old) to our household,
and she is my constant companion at the desk as I work or
at the foot of the bed at night.
Suki also is not shy about
expressing her opinion on anything and everything that occurs.
We rescued her from a local shelter where her previous family
had unceremoniously dumped her after buying a bulldog and
finding, to their surprise, the two did not get along!
In April, a combined business
and pleasure trip took me to San Francisco to attend the
American Society on Aging Conference and a chance to exchange
ideas and information with other professionals in the health
and long-term care fields.
We listened to some well known
and stimulating speakers and, as a result of the conference,
I came away with some additional material for a course I
teach in conjunction with the Institute for Learning in
Retirement called, "Reinventing Your Retirement."
Evenings and one weekend were
spent tootling about San Francisco with my daughter, Marianne,
an all too rare and wonderful treat.
May brought an invitation
to accompany my daughter-in-law to Paris where she was presenting
a paper at a conference in that city. She didn’t have
to ask me twice! We had a wonderful time together …
it remains one of the most exciting cities in the world
and of course, the food — in even the simplest neighborhood
restaurant, is just out of this world.
I did notice a decided difference
in my stamina and ability to get around this time as compared
with my first visit to Paris some eight or nine years ago.
It has made me even more determined to see a few other places
I’ve been yearning to visit, before more time elapses.
In July, Val and I celebrated
51 years together ... amazing but we haven’t run out
of conversation, yet! "Desperate Housewives,"
take note … there’s much to be said for sticking
with what you’ve got.
In the fall, we spent a leisurely
weekend at a charming Vermont country inn and although Val
no longer wishes to go into New York, having commuted from
Long Island for many years, I still need my regular New
York trips to visit the museums and especially the theater.
I not only enjoy seeing plays,
I also occasionally perform in a local theatrical. This
year, our fledgling group, The Turnpike Players, produced
"The Laramie Project." I found to my dismay that
just like other wearing-out body parts, it gets harder now
to memorize lines!
Val turned 84 this year and
still serves on our condominium board and up until last
week, was also working several days a week. He is taking
a leave of absence from work and will have just completed
hip replacement surgery (his first ever hospitalization)
as you read this.
Following surgery, he will
go to a rehab facility so I am not sure if he will beat
Santa home or if we will bring Christmas to him.
May your personal life be
a calm and happy oasis in this difficult and troubled world.
Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy,
New Year. Cheers from Jean, Val and Suki.
Jean Cherni
is founder of Senior Living Solutions, a retirement advisory
service. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or
15 The Ponds, Branford 06405. H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
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