Hey! Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Boxing Day. Happy New Year and Happy Hallie’s birthday. Yay!
Though this past year was one of the most difficult years of my life, today I bring to you the “Best of 2024.” Looking back, maybe it wasn’t such a bad year after all.
I grew my first ever wildflower garden this year and I spent the summer taking photographs of it. I learned the names and fell in love with zinnias, poppies, coneflowers, coreopsis, black eyed susans and cosmos. I also fell in love with my Sony Alpha 70-350 mm super telephoto lens. It’s amazing. It was so fun to capture the cycles of change in the garden throughout the summer and fall — close up with that lens.
Speaking of falling in love, back in September, I met Emma Kitchen. She commented on one of my Substack posts and since then we’ve become the best of friends. We’re part of a mutual appreciation club that consists of just two members. Emma’s from Warwickshire, England and I’m from Ohio so we’ve had to struggle with the language and culture barrier, but the struggle has been hilarious. This year, I’ve become a huge fan of Boxing Day. Already, I’m counting the days ‘till Boxing Day 2025. I’ve also become a huge fan of WhatsApp. It has allowed for texts, voice memos, video memos, voice calls and video calls with my new friend. All for free. If you listen very closely, you may hear a little bit of an English accent in my voice these days. That comes from hours of video calls with an English woman. I feel like God looked down and said, “Hal, you deserve something really wonderful.” That’s what Emma is. She’s wonderful. Watch for her Substack which is called Lanterns in the Dark and it’s coming soon. Stay tuned.
Speaking of blessings, I am truly blessed to have Bonnie Mango as my housemate and caregiver. He is dedicated to me as if we were brothers. He is a delight to have in my home and I consider him to be family. He runs the facilities around here on South Chestnut Street while he continues to save my life with his generous care.
And of course, one of the great joys of 2024 has been continuing to create podcast episodes of “Living in a Body.” This year, we popped out 25 new episodes - each with original music and narration. In case you missed them, you’ll find some of my favorites below. (see below) Don’t miss the story of my daughter’s wedding. Hallie and Andy make such a beautiful young couple. Hallie reported that their drive down to Cincinnati to see Andy’s family went so fast cause they spent the whole time singing — harmonizing Christmas carols and Broadway tunes. It touched my heart and made me so happy to hear that.
Everyone, thanks for your part in making this a great year. 2024 — a horrendous year of decline in health with the challenges of ME/CFS. But in so many ways, it was a blessed year. I’m very pleased to report that in the last couple months, I’ve experienced some stability in my condition for the first time in a year. Believe me, I’m so pleased about this and we can all hope that it continues. I’m sending my love to all those out there that are living with this condition. It’s a rough one… especially over the holidays. Remember, you’re not alone. We’re sort of a team, aren’t we?
Thank you so much for reading. Thank you for listening. Special thanks to the 91 paid subscribers that are helping me to earn a bit of a living doing this from my bed. Thank you.
And remember. Enjoy living in that body of yours. If you’ve got one, enjoy it. It’s not gonna be around forever. Yes. Go for a walk. Go make a snowman. Or go jump in the rain puddles. Go hug your next door neighbor. Go visit somebody in a nursing home. Take a walk down by the river. Take a wheelchair ride into town. Breathe that fresh air. If you’re in bed, give yourself some loving caresses, some loving, caring caresses. Stroke your face. Stroke your arms. You deserve it. Alright?
Thank you. I’ll see you next time. Happy New Year. Bye. ❤️. Hal
More Best of 2024 Below
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