Taking Stock

 One of my favorite parts of being a Jew is getting to celebrate TWO New Year's Days. The Jewish New Year is in the Fall, and of course, the secular one in 4 nights. In college, we also learned that the Serbs celebrate NYE later, which was our excuse for a great party after everyone had returned from Winter Break. That celebration was followed by the Hangover Bowl, where the first guy up woke up everyone in Bldg 22, the Honors Dorm, and we played tackle without pads.

I played QB one year, and couldn't get out of bed for 4 days because of the pain. The following year, my roomie Mike was tackled from behind, and shattered his fib/tib. That was the end of the Hangover Bowl...

But a major thing I like to do each NYE or the days before is to take stock of my life. What's good; what I wish to discard. As Bob Seger sang: what to leave in; what to leave out.

I was reminiscing with Paul earlier today. For many years, he employed what I called the "E words" with many people -- thinking his friendship could enlighten them, enliven them, elevate them...there were a few more I can't remember. When his efforts invariably failed, I answered with my stock answer: "He (or she) can't help themself."

It's funny -- in my 65th year -- I believe this more than ever. Oh, I still give advice and support, and most of all love to those I care deeply for -- but to think I can change their outlooks, or even minds about something, is folly.

I also increasingly rely on a small group of inner circle advisors -- those who can see my life issues from above, instead of from within, as I live them. I can and HAVE changed my mind this way. But I'm careful about sharing my opinion when its not desired.

And it's a shame. I see red flags, to quote the overused cliche, more and more -- typically with relationships. I try to gently question folks, and when their denials of what is obvious to me are emphatic -- I back off -- they can't HELP themselves.

All I know is, I savor the days. Yesterday Little Man slept over and did so until 7:15, when I reminded him it wasn't to be a "Bagels at first light" day. Instead, we took a wagon walk (I pulled -- he sat) and fed the fish and turtles and had some honey yogurt. We then left for Mo's, and met Barry, Donna, birthday man Scott, and later Paul and Josh. Little Man had everyone laughing with his energy and vocabulary, and infectious laughter when Dr. Barry examined his full tummy with some tickles. It struck me that alone is why one becomes a pediatrician -- I can't imagine any of my adult doc friends EVER hearing hysterical laughter from their patients...

From there, I dropped him off with Baby Man, and the two acted brotherly -- whacking each other with plastic sabers...and then building and destroying each others' block castles.

I came home and started the sad part of packing. That's when you realize you have to get all your old man meds in order for the trip -- not just sun screen and birth control, as it was back in the day...Ok -- so WAY back in the day...

I'm all packed now -- Wifey got her hair did -- and is finishing up. She ALWAYS makes great fun of me for having us leave WAY too early for MIA -- but now Uber has come to my rescue! When you reserve a ride, as I just did, you plug in your flight, and Uber suggests a pick up time! I swear I heard Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" playing -- I made Wifey put on her glasses and read it for herself -- lest she excoriate me as usual. So the Uber is due tomorrow at 6:25 for our 9:55 flight -- I'm guessing the Sunday after Xmas is a bit nuts there.

Then, Wifey also showed little trust when I told her our itinerary would have NO temps in the 60s -- it's the freaking Caribbean! She had to check for herself -- the DR came close -- a low of 70 on January 2 -- but Wifey has satisfied herself that no coats need be taken along.

What to leave in; what to leave out...

So we're off to San Juan tomorrow -- West Side Story's "America" is my earworm. It occurred to me that play and move can't be made today -- total cultural appropriation! The thing was written and choreographed by a bunch of Ashkenazi Jews. Hell -- even the star, Maria, was played with dark makeup by Natalie Wood. Rita Moreno WAS in the show -- but just as a token...

But they can't take that tune away from me. "Everything better in San Juan..." I guess I'll see for myself.

All I know is 8 days of ultra luxury awaits some of my best by far...the trip costing more than we all paid for 4 years of tuition at UM just a few , um forty years ago.

Here's to a great 2026! To steal from Lennon -- let's hope it's a good one, without any fear...