Another corner

November 2, 2011.  Last night I went to see my old therapist, Mike Eigen, and to tell him what has been going on in my life  It's kind of like a check-up, a tune-up - a quick "this is where I am and what's happening" and it feels so good to see him.

Life feels so much better than it did two years ago.  I have to get a biopsy on my breast soon which I am not looking forward to. Work remains an exercise in problem solving.  I haven't met the love of my life.  I'm still lonely some days.  Lucy, my beloved beagle, is sixteen and a half, and though she runs down our hallway like a greyhound, she is constantly getting urinary tract infections. 

I worry about our country, the next election, the world, the mess it's all in.  I feel uplifted by Occupy Wall Street and the change in conversation we seem to be having. 

I am grateful.  I like the people I work with.  I like that I have time each morning to write.  I am hopeful that my play will have a life, but if it doesn't, that's okay too.  I'm grateful that I got to see my daughter last month in beautiful San Francisco and spend some time with her and her friends.  I'm grateful that I am going to Miami next weekend with my Mama Gena friends.  I walked through Central Park late yesterday afternoon and the leaves haven't barely begun to change.  

Just when I feel like I've turned a corner, another one presents itself. I like the metaphor of riding the waves.  Sometimes they are perfect and challenging, thrilling to ride. And sometimes I wipe out.  Right now, it feels like the waves are fine.  It's a beautiful autumn day and I am just so grateful for so many good things in my life and for the opportunity to be of service.   

Autumn in Central Park / The day after

To celebrate the election, I took yesterday off and spent a few hours in Central Park. Since I find that autumn is a difficult time for me (winter's coming), I try to spend as much time in the park as I can and appreciate how beautiful it is...whatever the season.

This winter at least, we'll have an inauguration, a new President, a Democratic administration and majorities in both houses of the Congress. That is filling me with hope. Even Elizabeth Hasselbeck finally got it. It wasn't just an election between politicians. It was a movement. It was understood first by young people and then gradually the rest of us caught on. (At least 52% of us. More will later on.)

Seeing Martin Luther's King's "I have a dream" speech several times last night on TV really brought home that point:

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

I know that Barack and this new administration is not going to have an easy time fixing the mess this country is in. I do know that after many years, we are finally on the right road.