Life has changed a lot this year. Some friends know. But the holiday letter has not been included in cards, just a few personal notes in the several sent so far. Retiring from Kroll and moving back to Ohio in June, after decades in New York City, to be a helpful grandmother to baby Levi -- Kat's son, now almost 15 months old, has been quite an adventure.
Akron after New York City is culture shock and I miss friends, public transportation, the hustle and bustle, museums, theatre, nearby amenities, and walking. Changing churches again is important and I have gone from Church of the Resurrection to Church of Our Savior, another Episcopal entity with a New York City rector, who by further coincidence I met years ago at LI Episcopal Women's Cursillo #46. There were three churches I was going to check out but I took this as a sign. No sign of an active NOW chapter, however, so I rejoined Ashtabula NOW which I helped find with the help of Jackie Hillyer and Kathy Nagle decades back. It is a nominal thing but I hope to connect with some old friends. Peace people seem to be lacking too, at least in terms of an organized group. I am hoping that Fellowship of Reconciliation will come up with the names of some area people and maybe we can birth or rebirth something. I have found a friendly Kiwanis local club and we'll see how active I can be, given baby duty, but I need to serve the community and feed my spirit -- though Levi's smile goes a long way with the spirit category. Let's say I need some adult activity.
And I need to get organized. Being at baby's a lot, there is still much to be done in the home organization area, which has never been a strong suit as close friends will attest. I have been too busy saving the world and that need most certainly still continues. The 1% are way too strong these days and Occupied needs to resurge too. I started a bullet journal but I have been sketchy with it and hope to start a NEW more successful journal with 2018. (OMG -- 2018!!)
But Kat is here in Akron and now with K. Hovnanian Homes and Michael Dylan won/earned the position of mayor of not-to-distant University Heights so I am lucky to be close to certain family members, though some remain scattered and not seen enough. I don't have Broadway or Time Square lights but I have new chapters to live, with God's help, and more determination and organization on my part. It is not easy and dear friends are missed but a phone call or a Facebook message or text message away. Tradeoffs. The good news is I have extra miles on my leased Subaru and life is full of possibility as time allows. I've a new Mac and have joined Ancestry so I hope to reconnect with the past too. Maybe I will get back into blogging -- more of us need to -- to stay in touch. Feel free to respond to this or other posts to come and I will check back more regularly and offer more Quick TAKES and Tasty Tidbits too (QuickTakesdotorg should lead you there).
Bless you and healing peace hugs.
