LAST THANKSGIVING & AFTER

 

2022 was a terrible year for a long list of reasons. It was filled with expensive health issues and no insurance along with the deaths of my three remaining cousins.

That November was a warm one. While much of the country was buried beneath feet of snow it was 80 degrees here. Of course 80 degrees in Florida is sometimes referred to as a cold front and it's much more bearable than the summer heat. However the temps climbed higher and I was without air conditioning since my A.C. had died in September.

And now a rare November hurricane was headed straight toward us! I was in a panic with no one to board my windows! Earlier in the season two different men said they would do it, but only for an obscene price. Neither one was answering my calls!

I was anticipating a lengthy power outage and having to throw everything in my fridge and garage freezer out! I was sick at the thought.

Despite the storm coming ashore here miraculously it did little damage and I never lost electricity. This seemed an outright miracle considering the destruction this hurricane did in other parts of the state.

Due to car issues I won't delve into, I was unable to drive to the supermarket Thanksgiving week to shop for my holiday meal.

Thanksgiving Day I cobbled together a meal consisting of everything on hand including items from my hurricane pantry. My holiday dinner wasn't special but it was tasty and I had plenty to eat which I suppose is all that matters.

Afterward I watched a marathon of Homicide for the Holidays on TV. This actually cheered me up.

Black Friday I was debating whether or not to put up a Christmas tree as is my custom; but I just wasn't feeling it. So I went online to my Facebook page.

And there in all capitals some stranger whose friendship request I'd accepted several years earlier wrote: YOU ARE THE DAMN MOST BORING PERSON! HERE'S A NICKEL TO GET A LIFE & DON'T FORGET YOUR TWO CENTS CHANGE! -- I already knew my life had become boring!!!  Health issues combined with a fixed income along with expensive medical bills can do that to a person.

I didn't appreciate some stranger rubbing my face in it like excrement! Had this coward said that to me in person I would have spit in his face! However my holiday spirit was already dead. That guy just added another nail to the coffin.

There would be no tree. I had no joy and looking at one would only depress me further.

But during my life and times I've endured worse holidays. Those were all among family, extended family, & others. Believe me; spending a holiday meal alone isn't always a bad thing! Often it's quite sublime. That in itself is something to be grateful.

This year I'm not giving up Christmas. I'm erecting a tree with all the trimmings. I will count my many blessings and celebrate!!!