before the page turns
by bam
before the last page flips over and away, it seems fitting to say, in no particular order…
this was the year my bones got less wobbly thanks to a dancer named donna; my broken-necked boy got rescued, he did, thanks to guardian angels and samaritans, too.
a little girl with a brain tumor reminded me how simple it is, when she nestled next to her mama and proclaimed this lasting truth: “i can read, i can whistle, i have a loose tooth; my life is complete.”
another sweet girl with a brain tumor didn’t make it, but she got up out of her wheelchair and walked across the finish line, she did.
a quartet of builders pounded their hearts into my farmhouse kitchen, and everywhere i look, everything i touch, i see them, i feel them; one blessed builder didn’t live to see the end of this year and for him i will forever ache, and forever be thankful.
a wise editor named ross urged me to tell the whole truth in a tale that finally brought my skeleton out of the closet; an even wiser woman named linda gave me the courage, the backbone, to do so.
a wizened man from ecuador told my sweet will how he walked to this country, would let nothing keep him away; another from mexico told of crossing the desert for three days with nothing but orange peels and hard candy.
a plaza filled with passionate people would not let the world deny nor forget the suffering in darfur, and my boys, thank God, were there to soak in the passion, to add their voice to the outcry.
a college kid with pierced ear and huge heart fell in love with my rambunctious child, offering hope that someone out in the world might see the golden light in his aura.
a golden-haired girl, with a platinum heart, loved that same little kid, and filled his wednesdays with light, every week through the summer.
standing in the emergency room with one trembling 5-year-old, my dear friend and neighbor ran to our rescue, interrupting her birthday to let him leap to her arms and out of the terrifying horrible place.
month after month, our friends at the soup kitchen bathed us in gratitude, humbled us deeply with the simple act of telling us our supper was something.
two soccer coaches, our first taste of the game, cared not about winning; were gentle and sweet as two coaches could possibly, imaginably be.
friends jane, jan and judy, old hands each, took me by the hand, by the elbow, the shoulder, and got me through the great rite of my firstborn’s bar mitzvah.
my blessed magnificent rock of a friend, one from way back in the newsroom, flew here to stand in my kitchen, to be by my side, and teach my sweet will the fine art of ghetto fried rice.
a sweet woman named molly left a shabbat basket on my stoop, melting me thoroughly with her random act of deep kindness.
a man named dorel, who can no longer make words, delighted me endlessly with the gleam in his eye as we went over and over simple sounds, ah, buh and k, kat.
when the going got rough, i stood back and watched a man named pete be the consummate father, showering love on a kid he wouldn’t let get dumped.
on the other end of the line, when i needed him most, my old ER doc friend said the words i most needed to hear, and stayed on the line ’til all was clear.
a farmer named henry, week after week, quietly, wordlessly grew for the world the purest produce that i’ve ever tasted; his sister, the word smith, puts his stories in print, and reminds every one of us of the infinite wisdom buried deep in the earth.
in a million other ways, the friends who i love bathed me in goodness and light, made me laugh, dried my tears, held my hand, held me up. from the ones who brought donuts before dawn to our hospital bedside, to the ones who pushed me off the great blogger ledge, i ask and i beg God to bless them with grace and with all that is good.
it’s been one stunning year, and we’re here at the end. God bless you. God keep you. take a deep breath, take a dive once again…..
if perhaps you have someone who stood out in your year, for their kindness, their goodness, their most amazing grace, tack their tale here. no need to name names, we’ll all get the gist….
pull up a chair 
In a year full of the regular ups and downs of life, my husband of 23 years and I made the agonizing decision to break up our family, by separating. Simply to say to those who are reading thank you if you are my friend, and to tell others how compassionate, supportive, and nourishing women can be in this type of crisis. I deeply appreciate it and daydream about a gathering, when dust is more settled, to acknowledge my appreciation to my wonderful friends, most of whom who have been around for a long time, but some who are new. I truly do not know how I would have survived without the women in my life. A special thank you goes to each one of them (you), too, for never asking if we’d tried everything we could before we made this move that rocked each of us and most particularly our children, who had no culpability and upon whom this was foist. I wish each of you a 2007 filled with meaning, growth, and wholeness.
To all who read this, I wish you health, happiness and above all else, love in the New Year. I’m reminded to hug my children more, enjoy life more, and to be grateful for the thousands of little things I take for granted each day. In 2006, our family celebrated life, prayed for miracles, said tearful goodbyes to friends who are now enjoying heaven, and hit our knees when challenges came our way. With God’s help and guidance, we turn the page to 2007 with hopeful hearts. Peace to all of you.
Barbie,How fitting that I took your advice and pulled up a chair on this New Year’s Eve. Thank you so much for thinking of me and including me in this marvelous coffee klatch that you’re creating here. It may be just what I need to help keep me balanced in 2007. Tonight is one for taking stock of what we have in our lives and what is really important in this world. Life can get crazy when you’re not looking. Even though 2 out of the 4 are off to college, this holiday break has reminded me they are still very much a part of our world and in need of attention. I am so grateful for all that we have.In the new year I resolve to eat more vegetables, drink more water, exercise on occasion (realism), and to pull up a chair on a regular basis.Thanks and Happy New Year!Love, MSM
Barb, I think this would read better like this: a wise editor named ross urged me to tell the whole truth in a tale that finally brought my skeleton out of the closet; an equally wise woman named linda gave me the courage, the backbone, to do so. sincerely, ross