Thoughts on the New Year. . .

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. . . "                     Robert Browning

If I had the opportunity to meet the revered British poet who wrote those words, my response, I am afraid, would be "Bullshit, Mr. B.  You don't know what you are talking about." 

I'm allowed to write this from my perch as an octogenarian and a half, because I am one of the lucky healthy ones.  There is nothing wonderful or happy about seeing your loved ones, the people you grew up with, the people you shared your life with, become ill and pass away.

While I have much to be thankful for in this New Year. . a wonderful loving daughter, my very dear grandson Adam, his wife Amy, my beautiful great-grandson Grayson, and my remarkable big sister Fran, . . I am still dealing with the loss of my oldest and dearest friend Judy, in mid-December.

Back in high school in my hometown of Mt. Vernon, just a 35 minute train ride into New York City, we were part of "our crowd". . .the so called "popular Jewish girls" (as opposed to the equally popular Christian girls.)  Political correctness had not yet arrived in the 1940's.   Judy and I literally grew up together.  We lived in the same apartment house.  Walked to school together every day. (Only nerds took the bus.) Went to Syracuse University together.  And actually introduced each other to our first husbands!  More importantly, even though we've lived many states apart for decades, we've stayed bff's. . best friends forever.

One by one, the members of "our crowd" have left us. . there are only three of us left. . me and the Sonnenblick twins, Jean and Muriel.  We are the lucky ones.  We've all had a great life and I'm not complaining.  Just don't think Robert Browning had it quite correct.

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