It's that time of year when Christmas is over and we wait for the New Year to begin. For my final project in college, we had to look back at our classes and select the best work that represented our learning in the class. It was a hard task, but I learned how far I had come from where I started. So I decided for this post to look back at this past year and remember a few key things that happened throughout the year. As I write this I am not sure what I will remember or find. So I am exploring my pictures from each month of this year 2022. Let's see if I accomplished as much as I had hoped I would when the year started. All I really remember from 2022 was my focus was on graduation. This should be fun!
January
To be fair this was taken on News Year's Eve but I was in Florida for half the month of January. This is by far my favorite sneaky peak at my grandparents. They have been married for 62 years. This moment in time is especially sweet since my Pappaw has Alzheimer's and he tells me he doesn’t dance. I have proof he does. This month included a visit to The Villages in Florida and bridesmaid dress shopping.
Nana and Pappaw dancing. Pappaw is in the baseball cap and Nana is the one being twirled.
February
I published my first blog post and you all started to support me in my journey. Thank you for all your support. I picked this Valentine's day photo because it turns out to be the last time I will be taking this picture at my favorite restaurant, Tony Boffa’s. It is a tradition that we go to Boffa’s for Valentine's dinner. They had some of the best rolls and family-style dinners around. Boffa’s holds a special place in my heart because even though this restaurant was a crowded Italian place I was treated like family. After 70 years in business, Tony Boffa’s has closed its doors and sold the restaurant. I will miss family dinners at Boffa's. This month included snow, Spanish food from the neighbors, early St Patrick's day celebrations, haircuts, and Christmas with friends.
March
It wouldn’t be March without a St Patrick’s day photo. I am the official Grand Marshall of the Shortest Parade in NYS. The parade route is 306 ft from start to finish. If you are late you will miss it. There is usually a bagpiper, police escort, and many revelers that follow the parade route that ends at Bourbon Street Bar and Grill. This month included car trouble, comedian Sam Ramsdell, voting troubles, and St Patrick's day with Coleen and friends.
April
Normally this would be an Easter photo but this year I had a visitor from across the pond. Lisa’s father came to visit for her birthday and we went on a picnic at Bear Mountain State park. Also, this was the month that my friend Julie asked me to be a bridesmaid, bridesmaid dress fitting for Melissa's wedding, coloring eggs, haircut, a birthday celebration for Lisa, and my graduation gown arrived.
May
Melissa and TJ got married! This was the first time ever that I have been a bridesmaid. Oh, and it is my birthday month! This month included a surprise visit from the Lally's, I got a travel Fold N Go wheelchair, a wedding weekend extravaganza, and mom's birthday.
June
GRADUATION! I passed my COVID test and got to walk the stage for graduation with my number fan mom and Aunt Candi on facetime. Mom strapped my phone onto my chair and face-timed my Aunt. The funny thing was it wasn’t until we got the pictures back that we saw Aunt Candi on facetime on the phone. We thought the phone had died because we face timed early in the ceremony. This was a special day because my Aunt Sally and Cousin Adrienne drove up to see me and be my cheering squad with Dad, Lisa, and Dave, as I graduated. This month was devoted to graduation visiting family and buying fireworks.
July
I went on vacation to Wilmington NC and got to feel the waves crash over my body. People have tried to tell me what that felt like but no words can really describe the exhilaration of the waves and discomfort of sand in places it doesn’t belong. This is the month Mazine was born, fireworks, a picture with Jordan ( a student from a class I talked to as a fifth grader who is now a senior), swimming, a strange parking spot in front of Target, visiting the Lake House, ballgames, and TJ and Melissa.
Video of me in my bathing suit thanking Ocean Cure for the use of the beach chair.
August
My favorite Starbucks Barrista moved to NC. Ashley was always there and never failed to take the time to chat with me about what was going on. Not to mention she makes a mean Ice coffee with caramel drizzle, half and a half, and one pump of vanilla. I did learn though learn to never say one shot of vanilla because the new people gave me an expresso instead of flavoring. Boy did I have trouble falling asleep that night! This month also included mom and dad's anniversary, epic fail bowling, graduation photo shoot, job prospect, Kivian's birthday, final dinner at Boffa's, and a tiny acorn for Anut Candi's baby squirrel.
September
Dad went to a football game in Maryland. As usual, his van broke down, and he was stranded for three days. Thankfully he had vacation time and my cousin Katie because she pushed his van into the bay so that they could work on it. Way to go Katie! Also a mention to my A team! We all got together for the first time since COVID to catch up and say goodbye to Barbara as she was leaving for Hilton Head for retirement and we celebrated Chrisann being cancer free! One more… the release of Hocus Pocus two occurred on September 30. I am lucky enough to have a partner in crime who doesn’t mind dressing up. We put on our costumes from last year and spent the entire day walking around as Mary and Winifred. It was the first time in a long time that people saw me and not my wheelchair. I felt like a movie star. Additionally, Halloween blow-ups, 9-11 memorial, work dogs, therapy friends, and early Halloween.
Video of my cousin Katie pushing my dad's van in the mechanics bay to have the work done on it. You go, girl!
October
You all know what this means, Halloween. Trick or treat, I love Halloween! Peter Pan and all his crew had a blast at our Halloween party. The first attempt at getting my new wheelchair, Julian's first birthday, corn maze with friends, visit to Cornwall on the Hudson, no access to the coffee house, first Christmas decorations up at Walmart, not to mention a Halloween sleepover.
November
Do you want to build a snowman? We had our first snow. Okay, we used all the snow building the snowman but still, it was snow. We also did some English crackers at Thanksgiving. English Crackers are a traditional party decoration that snaps when you pull them. They contain a paper crown, a joke, and a trinket. This year the trinket was tiny black mustaches. We all had a laugh wearing the tiny mustaches. Also, I got business cards with the QR code for my blog. Thank you April and David for believing in me and supporting my dream. Then there was a fashion show, an Amazon gift card win, Christmas blowups on display, and Thanksgiving.
December
My favorite month next to May, my birthday month. Both I receive presents in. LOL. December is filled with bright lights, Christmas trees, Christmas Carols everywhere, decorations, and family. Who wouldn’t love those things wrapped into one month? This month I got to go on two adventures, the Harry Potter Experience and the Christmas Village in Pennsylvania. Also, pocketbook bingo, Karaoke with Julie, finally received my wheelchair and Boozy Book Club. Not to mention Christmas in Maryland.
That's a wrap
All in all, this was a great year. I had fun looking back at the picture I took over the year. I get now why Facebook always sends me a year in review. It is fun to remember all the good times. We don’t usually take pictures of the bad times, so it's good to remember all that is good in the world that we live in. I think I accomplished more than I realized and have grown as a person this year. Take some time from your busy week and explore the pictures that you forgot about and remember the year 2022. I am thankful for so many people who help me create memories that bring a smile to my face and remind me of the fun in my life.
Thank you for reading until the end!
This is the view from my wheelchair, where miracles can make a difference. Always Strive for the Impossible. Come back next week to make a resolution or not make a resolution, that is the question and The View From My Wheelchair.