2023 Rememberlutions

This time last year, I created a Pittsburgh Bucket List which, upon reflection, was a complete and utter failure. The only item we completed was a tour of Bayernhof for my 1-day staycation--and we were 15 minutes late on account of getting lost. However, we will be taking My Awesome Parents to a Liberty Magic show this spring as a Christmas gift, and we have promises for rollerskating at the Neville Roller Dome and dinner at The Woods House from friends. 

Which isn't to say that we had no fun in 2023! I did keep a few mementos in my Rememberlutions jar. First up is...a ticket to a performance we didn't end up seeing: Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For. I tried to squeeze this in between travel, but the performance kept being cancelled for cast illness, and finally I took a refund. In no particular order, this is what else I found in the jar:

We watched the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the St. Louis Cardinals when one brother was pitching against his brother on the other team. That was with colleagues from my work.

I saw a really great one-woman show about Frida Kahlo in June.

We finally visited the Pittsburgh Zoo, where we enjoyed the Chinese lanterns.

In February, Dear Husband and I had a "grand pause" at Dogwood Cabin to celebrate his new job, and in March, we had a great second trip to Phoenix, AZ, for Spring Training baseball, hiking, biking, museums, etc.

A patient wrote this to me in a message: "Just wanted you to know that you were the very best doctor I ever knew and I consider you as my friend."

Over Memorial Day Weekend, I went home to Baltimore to celebrate my father, and over Labor Dar Weekend, I flew to Charlotte to visit my grandmother, aunt, and her family.

A lovely outdoor lunch at Kaya followed by an afternoon exploring the Heinz History Center for DH's 1-day vacay.

We took a tour of Laurel Caverns with MAP in August and lunch afterwards.

Sitting at my desk with a breeze blowing sweetly through the window. This is what my office looked like recently, shortly after signing my book contract (!).

We drove to DH's family picnic at the little church by the graveyard, and on our way home, we spent the night in a tiny cabin.

When DH leaned over while driving to kiss me not once but twice after I read the poem I picked out for my youngest brother's wedding. If you search "San Diego," you can find the other posts from our vacation that week.

Finishing not one but two Princess Bride cross-stitch samplers; I gifted the one I did not keep.

When I found out parents of adult children with disabilities refer other parents to me via Facebook discussion threads. Honestly, anytime a patient compliments me on my care is really meaningful. I even had one tell me he had referred some people to me--"but not too many, because I want to make sure I can still get an appointment!"

I not only got a co-edited special issue of a journal published, but I had a magical afternoon in Montreal with my co-editor in 80-degree weather.

Every time Rosie purred through a morning brushing session, and the way she flops herself against me in ecstasy.

In March, I was invited to Chicago as an expert on teaching nutrition.

Watching "Animal Kingdom" in our backyard during dinner on the patio in the warmer months.

The time one of the nurses put someone on the phone on hold so she could join the other one in giving me a hug when I was feeling down about the way clinic was going.

We visited the Phipps Botanical Garden twice this year, once for Billy Porter and once for the holiday light show.

Our musical adventures included a trip to State College in July, which I declared "a perfect summer day." That was made better by the presence of friends, which I also enjoyed multiple times the week between Christmas and New Year's.

So that's the year that was. It was not as terrible for me as it was for some people I know. I hope we all have a better 2024.