last day of the year

I'm always reflective at the end of anything. Graduations. Birthdays. Jobs. Years.

This one, like so many of the recent past, has been filled with a bit too much anxiety.

I wonder almost everyday how I can afford my life and continue to live where I do. And whatever concerns my son, concerns me even more.

But the things that make me smile continue to outweigh the ones that don't. A part-time job. Family. Friends. Health. New York City. A weight of 125.8 (thank-you Saks for the residual benefit of exercise). And getting to see my son regularly, who infuriates me sometimes, but makes me laugh regularly.

I've never loved New Year's Eve. So much pressure to have a great night. Alexander goes to a party with his college friends, many he hasn't seen since graduation as they live out-of-state. My evening is more quiet. 

Two good friends (Robyn and Linda) come over to watch a movie.The dress is casual, the make-up little. We toast the new year over glasses of Prosecco. Overdose on sushi. Watch Phoenix, a so-so PPV movie. Eat cookies and ice-cream. Talk some. And end the evening before any ball drops.

A friend of mine sends me this email:

here’s to many more great evenings of theater, movies, star photos, deep conversations, superficial conversations, and raucous laughter shared in 2016!

So I pass the same sentiment to all of you. Happy happy New Year.