“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” ~ William E. Vaughan
Nora Ephron once wrote a list essay titled "What I'll miss, what I won't miss." I've thought about it a lot as this sh*t-show of a year is winding down. I'm still struggling a bit with all that went on this year, and for a bit, I thought I would not miss anything about it. After I gave myself a quick "snap out of it" slap to the head, though, I started to think about the things I will miss.
With apologies to Nora Ephron and without further ado, here's my list.
What I won't miss about 2020
• Losing my hair (It was a necessary evil, but still...)
• Chemo (I'll take losing my hair over this hell any day.)
• Masks (I wear one everywhere, but that doesn't mean I have to like them.)
• No hugs (If you're a hugger, you understand. If you're not, well, don't worry about it.)
• No travel (If you travel, you understand.)
• Death counts (Come on, people. Do we really have to have a minute-by-minute COVID death count during the news.)
• The Pandemic ('Nuff said)
What I will miss about 2020
• Having no hair (There's something to be said about washing a bald head and not worrying about how long it takes to dry and style....Quick dry....No styling....It's also saved a fortune on salon charges....)
• The caregivers at Comprehensive Cancer Center of Nevada (The nurses, radiation techs, and nurse assistants are the ones who really took care of me.)
• My house in Las Vegas (Actually, I'll really miss the shower. If you don't know the story, remind me to tell you about it sometime.)
• Driving cross-country (I lie. I'll miss the vistas but not the ride.)
• The kindness of friends (I have to mention this although this will go on.)
What I look forward to in 2021
• Running a brush through my hair (At the rate it's growing, this will be in December....Still....)
• Wearing lipstick (Masks and lipsticks don't mix.)
• Getting the vaccine (Please. ASAP)
• Feeling better (Day-by-day-by-day)
• Traveling to Italy (Don't get between me and the plane door once they lift restrictions.)
Wishing you, Mike and your family a very Happy New Year! Looking forward to a brighter, healthier and more peaceful one. Take care of yourselves and stay safe.
Susan Waldman