Notes on 72:
Tomorrow is my 73rd birthday. Yes, that's all very nice. We tend to celebrate what is to come - whatever that may be. But maybe, just maybe we should take a moment and look back on what the past year has offered and celebrate that as well.
There were notable moments like when my residence card was issued (2 years in the process) and delivered by mail. Even the mailman was happy for me. Yay. Such a relief and it allowed me to leave Portugal and be sure that I could return.
Luís turned 80 and we had a small get-together here at home with lots of yummy finger food. Everyone close to him was here to wish him well.
A make-up class and a renewed interest in art and creativity were forefront. My favorite read was The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng with The Lives of Others by Neel Mukherpe in second place.
A short trips to Tomar and the Alentejo (Beja and Arraiolos), was also in the cards. The pousada in Beja is one of my favorites! And, of course, we had dinner at the Casa das Ratas while in Tomar (it's not really a trip to Tomar if you don't stop there.
But much of the year I was occupied with thinking about and planning a walk to Santiago de Compostela with a long time friend, Linda. The trip which took place at the end of September was an amazing adventure. In fact, it was so great that another walk may be on the horizon. More about that another time.
The balance to all these happy moments was when we had to put our cat, Mac, to sleep at the end of August. He was adopted as a tiny kitten and lived with us for 17 years. It was beyond sad.
I love my life and can't wait to see what's waiting for me at 73.
