Looking Back on 2021: Another Year of Great Change

As I look back on 2021, it’s been another year of great change. If I had to describe the past 12 months, I’d say it was a series of highs and lows. Thankfully I’m ending on a few high notes.

“Your bladder is all clear,” said Dr. B this morning at my routine three month cancer scope. I am always anxious when I enter the urologist’s office. That’s what I wanted to hear. I was so happy. “Have a good new year,” signed off Dr. B. “Now I will,” I thought. For sure a high note.

Listening to my inner Capricorn

I remember reading my horoscope last January. It said:

I read these words at the time, not fully comprehending how they would play out. Wow-o-wow, when I think about some of the key themes: “daily rituals” and “beliefs around values and financial security,” “compassion for myself” and “letting go of that which stifled my hope, freedom, and enthusiasm” — all influenced my continued transition in 2021.

Practicing compassion

I was so inspired by compassion that I chose it as my inspirational word for 2021. At the end of each day, I wrote down in my journal how I showed compassion to myself and/or to others. It was a worthwhile exercise that I may continue into 2022.

Wish our world was a more compassionate place right now. Maybe it would be if some of the curmudgeons thought more about the wellness of others and their community than just themselves. (Sorry I can’t help myself — I’m very passionate about compassion for others during these difficult times.)

A cold and Covid-19 winter with periods of sunshine and warmth

My 2021 winter, like everyone’s winter, brought us into the second round with Covid-19. It was scary times with more illness and deaths until vaccinations were available. I was still processing my grief from the passing of my sister-in-law F and year two of the passing of my sister-in-law I.

Thankfully, I found respite with a month-long stay in Florida. While I wasn’t vaccinated yet, I realized that being outdoors in warm weather in the winter brings me joy. It was also good for my self-care and wellness — so much so that I booked a three-month stay in Florida for 2022.

I spent a glorious winter month in sunny Florida in 2021

Letting go of a relationship after 12 years

In April, my 12 year relationship with my boyfriend L ended. It had been unraveling and took a major blow after our return from Florida. L slammed the door on our partnership. I was hurt and disappointed. We had had a good run for a long time. I thought that L was going to be my soulmate for the rest of my life. But I changed as I entered my sixties and he didn’t want to change and didn’t want me to change either.

Like the sun setting, my 12 year relationship with my boyfriend L came to an end

This low in my 2021 year touched my “daily rituals.” I had to adapt to being on my own again. I eventually came to terms that maybe letting go of L was, as my horoscope indicated, about “letting go of that which stifled my hope, freedom, and enthusiasm” for what I aspire to be and do during my third act.

Summer at the shore with my new grand puppy

In July, I welcomed my daughter A’s cavapoo puppy O into the family.  He and A joined me at my condo on the corner at the Jersey shore for two months. My grand puppy O kept my mind off my breakup and was a new beginning of sorts.

Never having owned a dog ever, ever, I had to learn all the daily needs of puppy care. As I shared in my August blog post: “My mindfulness practice helped me be a more compassionate grandma to O. There’s no way to be in the past or future when you have a puppy in the house. It’s all about the now. When I say now I mean it’s all about mindful moments. Mindful moments include pee or poo, eats and treats, play and more play (or play and bite everything), and nap and nite nite. Each one requires focus on the task at hand.”

My grand puppy O quickly won over my heart

Exhausted at the end of each day, I slept like a baby each night. It’s hard work taking care of a little puppy.

My grand puppy O won over my heart. It was an all-time high note filled with some of the most fun and memorable moments of 2021.

New beginnings and adventures

In the fall, I took my first post pandemic trip to San Diego. Coming in January, I still have additional stories to tell about that trip, including all the fabulous culinary spots where we dined in Southern California.

Plus, it looks like there will be more travels to California in my future. Yes, yes, yes, I am so excited that my son D will be moving with his girlfriend S (and my other grand puppy M) to Southern California next month as he pursues his dreams in the film industry. While there is a touch of sadness that he will be living on the other side of the country, I’m so proud of him for pursuing his passion.

I’m so proud of my daughter A for bringing a new puppy into our family and for my son D for pursuing his passion in film

BTW I already told D that when he wins a Golden Globe, Oscar or Emmy, he is taking his mother to the ceremony. My potential for wearing an Armani gown in my lifetime has risen a whole level higher, just like this major high note of 2021!

Ooh, ooh, ooh, I have another high note to share. As the writer Gabby Bernstein says, “Sometimes things don’t work out as you planned because there’s a much better plan on the way.” Hey Gabby, I think you’re right. However, it’s not a better plan. It’s a better man. Yes, dear readers, JudiBoomergirl is in a new relationship and his first name begins with an E. And while we’re in the early stages, this relationship is definitely a high note for 2021 and hopefully going to continue into 2022.

Happy and healthy new year!

In closing, I want to thank you for your readership and participation in my blog and my virtual community in 2021. Please know that your support, comments and emails throughout the past 12 months have meant the world to me.  They comforted me during my lows and made my highs that much more enjoyable.

Cheers to new adventures in 2022. Because like this Instagram meme says:

Credit: Instagram photo from Ari Seth Cohen

Have a happy and healthy new year!

Judi