New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day, Capo d’Anno, the first day of 2020.  Probably I ought to have finished yesterday: reflections on the old year, wrapped up in a highlight reel, and hit Send.  But Janus faces both ways, past and future, so here we are.  With photos.

Jim and I really got around last year—from Florida in January for Aunt Esther’s 100^th to Israel in December for our granddaughter’s bat mitzvah, reunions with friends and family in Sardegna and Provence, Florida again in October, and the usual back-and-forth between Mondovi` and Freetown, we logged a lot of miles.  Flight shame?  I know, I know, but we’re a far-flung family.  When we found ourselves at home together we welcomed visiting friends and relations from USA, Prague, and Freiburg.

I cut my long hair, finished the kitchen with a handsome countertop and two bright stools, travelled (by train!) with Melissa to Firenze, and gave myself a little birthday party at the beautifully restored Caffe’ Sociale in Mondovi` station.

2020 will be Jim’s 70^th year, and Aunt Esther’s 101^st.  Mom is still enjoying life at 96, anticipating the arrival of another great-grandchild this spring.  Our elder grandson will be 18—a first-time voter!  We’d like to celebrate our 35^th wedding anniversary in Casablanca, and we plan to attend my 50^th high school reunion.  Lots to look forward to, inevitably lots of surprises too.  Wishing us all the grace, compassion, humor and bounce we will need to meet whatever the new year brings.

Leslie