The Thanksgiving holiday has been over-run by the early Christmas promotions, which is somewhat of a blessing in disguise. It means that Thanksgiving hasn’t been overly commercialized and remains largely a simple family gathering around a feast table. Of course, during the past decade the concept of what constitutes a “family” has changed. Not only with same-sex marriage and the adoption of LGBT couples of children, many gays and lesbians have formed families of friends who are their primary means of social activities and support. Not everyone is rushing to get married or even to pair up with someone. For many older LGBT persons, that prospect came too late in life to even consider.
Most people think of the new year as the time for resolutions to do things differently. They start diet plans, promise to form new and healthier habits, and generally live a more conscientious lifestyle. I’m doing things a little differently this year. First, after 12 years I’m moving to a new apartment. So I’m cleaning out the closets, selling or giving away tons of stuff, and re-orienting myself as well as my furniture. Since I am retired, I expect to have only a slight change in my daily routine, but I am hopeful of a fresh start with putting a little more energy into my life.
When I published my memoir last spring I was focused on looking back at my life, especially the many regrets for some of the choices that I had made. I, in a way, re-lived my life vicariously and analyzed the steps along the way. I think that introspection served me at the time, but now it’s time to move on and focus on today and its challenges. My primary issues at this time are health challenges as I age, and I’ve spent three years going from doctor to doctor without much success. So I guess that I’m just going to have to learn to live with these challenges and quit wasting so much time hoping for a cure.