New Year's Eve Flashback
2018, still applies
One of the reasons I stay on Facebook is to look back. The first thing I check is the “memories” link. I use it to take stock of my life, mostly. I think I really started this practice this year (2025). Maybe it isn’t hard to want to live in the past momentarily after this ludicrous year.
This morning, this post was a glaring reminder that I am one lucky son of a gun. I need to find that energy again after a shitty year. I need to remember what Janis Joplin said… “it’s all the same fucking day man.”
December 31, 2018
I was flipping through pictures tonight and it is hard for me to believe those two guys are the same fella, from the same year. In one I’m tooling around the backyard with no real worries and in the other I’m busting ass to finish a recording on the Oncology floor at Gateway Hospital.
Quite a year it has been. I can’t possibly thank my family and friends enough for helping me through. Every little thing made such a huge difference in my life. I won’t even try to mention the big things. I can’t even begin to name everyone without forgetting someone, so I won’t, but you all know that Marta Briscoe made all the difference in the world. Yeah, she’s a keeper.
Sitting here waiting on the New Year, while Marta tries to get some rest for work tomorrow, I tried to reflect on the whirlwind that it all has been. But there’s just fleeting visions flying around in that vapor between my ears. So many missed moments and opportunities while I blamed myself for getting sick. Ridiculous I recognize now, but you think about stupid stuff when you realize that you’re mortal.
And what matters in retrospect seems simple now. It was the emails, the surprise visits from long distances, or right next door, the hats, the dirty jokes at 4am, bringing us food, mowing the yard and so many other thoughtful and selfless gestures.
This time last year, I never imagined I’d have been in Chicago, Boston, NYC and Paris this year, let alone going to the grocery store by myself. From the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery to Underwater Sunshine to Holidays with the family it has been spectacular and full of wonder.
Yeah, I put on some weight and am out of shape, but no resolutions, no promises, just I’m back. I may not have all of my energy and focus yet, but, just you wait…
Time to move on.
Happy New Year!
Xoxox
Brick
now for an important message…