What I’m Thankful For

Gratitude and Covid-19 don’t usually go in the same sentence. But when my husband Steve and I recently tested positive, that is very much what I felt. Grateful we were fully vaccinated and boosted, with only cold-like symptoms. Grateful the positive result came one day before a scheduled trip to New York. And most grateful that if we had to get sick, it did not happen anywhere near our wedding last year or when we were flying regularly between NYC and Orlando.

Within about a week, we were feeling better and we’re back to our normal routine now.

“Good health – physical, mental, emotional — is everything,” my mom used to say. “With it, all things are possible. Without it, nothing else matters.”

Covid aside, this holiday season has brought sobering reminders of how true this is.

Earlier this month, my beautiful friend Rachel died of colon cancer. Just like when dear friend Molly passed away from breast cancer six years ago, I am devastated to see someone so young and vibrant taken. Molly was 45, Rachel only 38.

Truly incandescent souls, it doesn’t seem possible both of them are gone now.

My cousin says God needed Rachel to come home to be an angel, to be part of a bigger plan. An angel for sure, she made the transition of moving to Orlando from New York less lonely for me. After being introduced through a mutual friend, we clicked immediately. Though I mourn the memories we will not have, I cherish the ones we shared and will be forever grateful to have known her.

One of Rachel’s favorite things was Hallmark holiday movies. This year, for the first time and in her honor, I watched several. Spirited and fun – much like her – they injected an additional dose of festive cheer into the season. My favorites: the NYC-set Hanukkah on Rye, Eight Gifts of Hannukah and A Castle for Christmas.

I’m especially grateful that I’m beginning to feel more settled into life as a Floridian. Little by little, I am putting down roots here. Getting to know Orlando better, slowly making friends and soon, moving to a new house. Can’t think of a better way to ring in 2023.

Most of all, I remain overwhelmingly grateful for the blessings of married life with Steve and our beloved pup Benji. These two give me so much. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to share my days with them.

Happy New Year!