Saturday-January 8, 2022

Dear Marion,

  The new year is here and one week in I’m already feeling a bit of relief that we are into a new calendar year. It’s simply semantics however 2022 creates a vision of a clean slate, a blank canvas waiting for some color and newness to fill my senses. I feel blessed to have experienced 2021 but equally feel happy to leave it in my rear view mirror. Transition can be tricky for some and others embrace the change before it even lands on their doorstep. Personally, I remember you saying I took my time ending one stage or year before jumping (maybe tiptoeing) into the next year. When it came to design, I loved trying new looks. In college, a friend said she loved my haircut (it had grown halfway down my back) which was newly cut above my ear. I didn’t want to cut in stages, I liked the feeling of extreme change in style. The funny thing I remembered was that she then said I bet you already have the hairstyles chosen for growing it out. Until that moment I hadn’t really thought about it, but she was right. I was never that attached to my hair, I thought it grows out if you don’t like it. It is worth noting I believe I cried only once with a haircut and that was a few days before I left for college freshman year. Most of my haircuts up to that point were given by you and this was a treat I saved up for and chose a somewhat fancy place in Red Bank. I didn’t watch as he cut, when he was done he turned the chair around, I looked in the mirror and literally had no words. Upon looking closer when I reached my car, fits of sobs ensued. Well, that’s a story for another day. The point being I like change and trying new things when it’s my choice. When I am in control of the design choice or change because then it is fun. You used to tease me that I did not do well with change, that I didn’t like it. I believe that was because I didn’t feel in control of it. Any time I have gotten a haircut since then, I watch until I trust who is cutting and styling. Will it always finish as I envision? No, but that’s ok because sometimes it may look better than I anticipated and because I no longer blindly trust. I do my research as needed with anything I am designing whether it’s a vacation, home improvement, or choosing a physician for our family. A change in hair, clothing, home that is unexpected can bring joy and a shift in your outlook as well as perception. 

 This holiday brought with it many fun gifts but the standout theme for your granddaughter was that of Advent Calendars. Since Bella was able to speak she has been requesting one and talking about which one as early as late summer. This year I thought I am going to purchase one that is for her birthday(early December) so that she could quickly catch up for the 24 days leading up to Christmas. The second calendar was wrapped for Christmas morning and it is made of wood with replenishable drawers so that it could be filled each year with something while displaying a country snow scene. What I hadn’t counted on was that she would receive two others for her birthday this year. One was actually the 12 days of Christmas, each drawer occupied by a uniquely scented candle housed in a variety of beautifully colored glasses. The mystery of the calendars is what excites young children. They know they are going to receive something and the anticipation that you can open something each day brings joy…especially when it is chocolate. With Bella’s love of candles, each day after school brought the experience of a new scent and warm cozy lighting.

 In between taking down holiday decorations, I took to the cozy chair in front of our fireplace, and transported myself once again into the world of author Louise Penny. This time she has written a political thriller, “State of Terror” with Hillary Rodham Clinton and I could not have been more engrossed nor disappointed when I closed the cover for the last time. The characters kept me company and on my toes trying to figure out what was happening from the first page to the last word of the last page. This political thriller was designed to keep us on the edge of our seats while becoming attached to the characters and their complicated relationships. 

 As I finished the well crafted mystery, I heard the announcement of Sidney Poitier’ passing, remembering how much you loved his acting and elegance as you had seen him in interviews. Your views left such an impression that the day I heard he was visiting where I worked(almost three decades ago) I snapped to attention. I ran down the back stairs to catch a glimpse or possibly even have an opportunity to shake his hand. Each floor led me to someone who would say oh you just missed him he’s now with “— —,“ I then rushed out to the next floor. After 4 or 5 such encounters I found myself 15 floors down and out onto the sidewalk just in time to see his car drive away. A few years later I remember seeing him on Oprah twice and yesterday rewatched as he elegantly read his thoughts about her career thus far and paid tribute to her accomplishments. What an elegant man in both style and manner. 

Here’s hoping for a new year with a bit of mystery…you heard me say ‘bit’ and a wealth of health, good care, individual style, and a clean canvas to be filled with new colors.

Talk soon,

Forever Yours

Quote:

“Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young.”

Betty Marion White Ludden

American actress,  comedian, animal advocate 

January 17, 1922- December 31, 2021