It’s New Year’s Eve, the day before another year begins. We’ll all be another year older; after a certain age, you really don’t put much stock in those kind of things. You just get that every day is a day for new beginnings. Life is sweet, precious and fleeting and putting things off until tomorrow, well that becomes less and less an option as the years fly by.
At least, I hope that’s what I’ll do — the attitude I’ll keep. I’m traveling as I write this — seeing the landscapes of different places that other people call home. We were guided by a big fat moon last night, with a ghostly kind of halo around it.
Our drive is about sixteen hours or so and as we drive through several states en route to the place we call home right now, I think of something my Mom said before I left, “Brigitte, you’ll always be okay, you’re a gypsy, go on and get on with your life.” She’s right — I’ve called many places home and ever since I could read about different places, I’ve wanted to go, go, go.
It was very difficult for me to leave where one of those homes were — where my family is now. We hugged each other, me and my parents as if we’d never see each other again. But we will. My sisters are good. My parents are good. I’m a little more at peace about it now.
I’ve left the land of the Delta Blues and now I’ll try to get back into my New York groove. Any kind of normal, routine-like groove will suit me just fine now. I think.
After one goes on a two-month chaotic, adrenaline-filled, tension-like state, I wonder — will it take awhile to calm down? Will I try to create some chaos when I get back? This may seem odd but I’m a little apprehensive. A little apprehensive about going back and beginning my new beginning because that’s exactly what it will be. Anew. New. Beginning.
I don’t think my back/shoulder muscles have relaxed themselves yet. Seriously.
I’ve heard that we all manifest stress in different places. Some have migraines, headaches, joint pain, stomach pain, but manifest itself it will. I’ve made it a habit to calm myself when I need to and I’ve gotten much better at it. I breathe in deep and push all that stress out with a big, long — ahhhhhh. I don’t want it to get stuck inside me somewhere — you know all that stuck negative chi-like stuff can mess with you physically, mentally and emotionally.
So on this Eve of a New Year, 2013, my New Year’s Resolution is this:
Breathe in. Breathe out. Welcome change. Embrace it, because it is the one thing that will happen, it’s inevitable, part of life so I’ll not fight it so much anymore. I’m going to make it my friend.
Happy New Year, my dear friends and please know I WILL comment on your blogs…I’ve really missed reading them and commenting on a regular basis.
Press play below to enjoy two songs about two places I’ve called home.
Here’s to 2013!!
P.S. (Thanks to Char at Joy in the Moments and Vikki at The View Outside for giving me the Blog of the Year, 2012. Please visit these beautiful, talented, and intelligent women if you haven’t already. I promise I’ll “play” once I get home — thank you so much).
Brigitte's Banter 
Breathe in breathe out – love it Brigitte! Happy New Year to you and all the best for 2013!
Posted by dianasschwenk | December 31, 2012, 7:56 amD, thank you! So nice to see you here. To you as well, my friend — Happy New Year!!
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 8:20 amHey Gypsy Woman ~ Happy NEW YEAR….but like you said – every day is NEW DAY – so Happy New Day….
Posted by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher | December 31, 2012, 8:32 amWell hello to you Ruta! Happy happy New Year!
Sent from Brigitte’s iPad
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 8:58 amI’ve always loved that song… You’ve been on quite a journey of body, mind and spirit, Brigitte. I think you’re wise to focus on breathing. Push all that tension and nervous energy out with 2012. There’s strength in your eternal outlook and your quiet knowing. I always sense that it comes from deep inside you — and is likely tied to your Delta Blues roots, your home. That’s a a big part of you. (Something that feels so comfortable for the rest of us, like your virtual cozy living room where we all sit around and drink our cups of coffee.) 🙂
This year will be better than the last. It has to be. We are wiser and stronger and have been tested. We are survivors in the most beautiful sense of the word. I’m certainly thankful for the gift of this friendship in my life, Brig. It couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Thanks for being who you are and for all that you offer through your beautiful spirit.
I raise my glass to you!!
Cheers!
Happy New Year!!!
Lisa
xoxo
Posted by A Gripping Life | December 31, 2012, 8:43 amMy dear Lisa, Thank you so much. I love that song as well and you are such an intuitive beautiful soul. You are one of those with a true gift for saying just what needs to be said just when one needs it the most. I know you are going through a very difficult time but know this: it will get better and you will learn more about yourself than you can imagine though I have a feeling you already know that.
I am raising my glass to you as well as we welcome in this beautiful New Year, stronger,wiser and better than ever. You are loved. Happy New Year, Lisa.
Xoxoxo Brigitte
Sent from Brigitte’s iPad
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 9:05 amBrigitte.. wishing you a most wonderful new year and may 2013 be one of greatness, peace and lots of laughter!!!
Happy New Year and it’s been a pleasure to “meet” you in 2012!!!
Posted by free penny press | December 31, 2012, 8:52 amLynne, The same to you my friend. It is an honor and a pleasure knowing you. I think we will become even better friends in 2013!
Happy New Year! Xoxoxo
Sent from Brigitte’s iPad
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 9:07 amHappy drive home, happy traveling in the future, happy acceptance of who and what you are, Happy New Year. It’s my favorite holiday, full of promise.
Posted by Addie | December 31, 2012, 9:02 amAddie, Thank you my friend! So glad I found you this year. Here’s to a beautiful New Year! Xoxoxo Brigitte
Sent from Brigitte’s iPad
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 9:08 amcongrats and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you
Posted by jensine | December 31, 2012, 9:18 amThanks, J and thanks for stopping in. Happy New Year to you!!
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 11:17 pmI, too, saw that moon… on the West Coast… such is what connects us all. Lovely post; thanks for sharing. Best wishes for a joyous New Year that brings nothing but good change… just keep breathing and all will be well. :>
Posted by Wandering Voiceless | December 31, 2012, 9:20 amWasn’t it glorious!!?? Thank you for saying that and I wish you a wonderful New Year and hope to “see” more of you and visit you soon!!
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 11:15 pmMe, too! :>
Posted by Wandering Voiceless | January 1, 2013, 5:23 amYou are very welcome honey.
(((((hugs))))) Happy New Year Brigitte. I hope 2013 is a great year for you 🙂
Xxx
Posted by Vikki (The View Outside) | December 31, 2012, 9:27 amHappy New Year, Vikki!! I wish the same for you, my friend.
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 11:14 pmIt is hard to breath in and out, to center yourself, to control how that darn stress manifests itself. If anyone can do it– you can Brigitte. You are such a soft insightful, caring person– I do hope you take care of yourself, no chaos. No adrenaline filled turbulence, only a soft loving landing with your hubs.
Be well Brigitte and thank you for everything that you have given me through your wonderful caring words this year. You really are the Queen of Kindness.
Fondly– Audra
Posted by unfetteredbs | December 31, 2012, 10:29 amAudra, I’m so late to responding to everyone and late to commenting. I just got home about an hour ago. Thank you so much for your kind words — you make my heart swell — in a very good way. When I read your words on my phone on the road (but couldn’t respond) they brought tears to my eyes — in a good way. I’m very fortunate and blessed and I include you and your friendship in those blessings. Your words have helped me as well, my friend. Maybe I’ve not expressed that as you so beautifully have, but your posts, your personal emails — thank you from the bottom of my heart. Much, much love to you and yours, Audra and Happy New Year!!
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 11:14 pmYou seem to have an eternal optimist quality, Brigitte, so it makes perfect sense to naturally pessimistic me that one of your songs is about being back in the New York groove — one of the absolute, positive, most greatest places to be, until one walks out the door and encounters a Typical New York Dolt (this seems to be more my gift from NYC than yours though). Had I suffered like you, courtesy of that nasty beast, Sandy, I’d probably be a bitter basketcase for the next twenty years … I’m glad you’re back with your special brand of positive outlook on life. Happy New Year and I hope that all good things, or at least much less lousy things, await you in 2013.
Posted by lameadventures | December 31, 2012, 11:31 amV, I try. I really do. I have my depressing days — I so do, I just share those with my unfortunate hubby and he’s so great, he knows what to do. Whether you’d be bitter or not, you’d be hilarious and making people laugh is a gift my friend and you really do have that gift. I have literally laughed out loud at some of your posts — they make me feel good so thank you for that. Happy New Year to you too and here’s wishing you all the best. Don’t drink and ride the subways though….stay home and drink. ;).
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 11:11 pmHey, Brig, I don’t consider myself bitter in the least, but edgy and/or snarky works! If what I write comes off as witty, better yet. Thanks for the compliment, pal. Now that it’s officially 2013, according to my cheap Timex timepiece along with the puddles of puke and merry-making detritus in my neighborhood’s gutters, Happy New Year!
Posted by lameadventures | January 1, 2013, 11:51 amNo, I didn’t mean to even hint that you were bitter! You’re funny, edgy and snarky — and more. Thank you, V — look forward to more of your comments and posts. Happy New Year to you. xo
Posted by Brigitte | January 2, 2013, 9:45 amGood luck breathing out that negative chi. Always so much easier said than done, though, isn’t it?
Posted by Carrie Rubin | December 31, 2012, 12:26 pmThanks, Carrie. It is difficult but anything worth having usually is, right? Happy New Year!!
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 11:08 pmBreathe in breathe out–I forget to do that sometimes. Good luck with your new beginnings – perfect timing! Happy New Year my friend — am so glad you are back and in fine form. Come on over to my party–will not be the same without you! Am listening to Mephis as I write this
Posted by on thehomefrontandbeyond | December 31, 2012, 12:46 pmLou Ann, yes I’ve felt as if I’ve only been breathing in for a long time now. Good luck to you as well. I visited your party and apologies for my late appearance but it appeared to be a smashing success!! HAPPY NEW YEAR my friend!!
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 11:07 pmYou were right on time and I am glad you made it~
Posted by on thehomefrontandbeyond | January 1, 2013, 6:02 amBrigitte,
Safe journey home, dear friend. It has been quite the wild ride for you for the last several months. Yes, breathing is good – very good. May 2013 be a wonderful year of peace, joy and ease for you!
Cathy
Posted by Cathy Ulrich | December 31, 2012, 2:16 pmI am finally home and thank you, Cathy. It has been wild and now I’m ready to ride a calm wave for awhile. I wish the same for you my friend — Happy New Year!
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 11:03 pmAfter the end to 2012 that you’ve had to deal with, you certainly deserve some calmer times and fun adventures. I hope 2013 will provide you with many of those—and also inspiration and time for your writing. 😉
Posted by jmmcdowell | December 31, 2012, 3:58 pmHi JM, it’s been a doozy but what doesn’t wipe you out makes your stronger, right? Calm and fun – I love the sound of that. I wish you every good thing, my friend for 2013 and I look forward to finding my muse again and catching back up on my neglected stories and ongoing novel. xo
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 11:00 pmWelcome home Brigitte! It’s so nice to have you back where you belong. 🙂
Posted by Honie Briggs | December 31, 2012, 4:52 pmHonie, it’s nice to be back and thank you. Much love my friend and Happy NEW YEAR!!!! XO
Posted by Brigitte | December 31, 2012, 10:59 pm8 minutes into 2013 and it’s already awesome.
Our son-in-law is on his way home from Afghanistan!!!
Posted by Honie Briggs | January 1, 2013, 12:10 amPheww…… it’s been a tough ride this year for many of us, I think. A lot of things come up that we never expected but as you said, I’m also learning to embrace changes and just kind of go with the flow. This is a great time to let go of any remaining bad vibes and start fresh. Breathe in, breathe out. Cheers to a great year ahead for all of us! 🙂
Posted by lillianccc | January 1, 2013, 4:19 amAh, home, Brigitte. It’s not the same home you left, because you’re not the same woman who left. You’ve had the opportunity to know yourself in ways you wouldn’t have otherwise. Happy 2013, my friend! xoxoM
Posted by Margarita | January 1, 2013, 6:12 pmTruer words were never spoken and of course you would be the sensitive soul to speak them first! Thank you, M and thanks for all your encouragement and love here on my post and through personal email. You are a gift! Happy 2013 to you and yours, my friend. xo
Posted by Brigitte | January 2, 2013, 9:46 amYour blog always puts me at ease. You always know what to say to make me feel relaxed and know that everything is going to be okay. Hopefully this year is a good one! 😀
Posted by Lily | January 2, 2013, 5:36 pmLily, what a nice thing to say — thank you, dear friend. It WILL be a good one — lucky 13, eh? ;).
Posted by Brigitte | January 2, 2013, 5:37 pmI love your attitude, Brigitte! You’ve been through so much these last few months and I hope that even though you’re ready to embrace change, you also get to enjoy some calm too. I had no idea how much negative energy my body stored until I started getting massage therapy. The day after a massage, I’d be a complete emotional wreck! So if you can manage it, I recommend some massage as well as breathing. Here’s to a happy, healthy and creative 2013!
Posted by Deliberately Delicious | January 2, 2013, 7:23 pmSally, you know I used to get massages all the time and hubby keeps telling me to do this. It’s difficult because it’s so personal but I will try that. To you too, my friend, Happy 2013!
Posted by Jeff Surette | January 2, 2013, 10:08 pmokay that was me, not Jeff, my hubby.
Posted by Brigitte | January 2, 2013, 10:10 pmGlad you’re finally coming back home after a successful (dad’s on the mend!) trip.
A couple points: I really like New Year’s for the reasons you mention. I like the fresh start, the idea of taking stock. I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, per se, but I do goals throughout the year. My birthday (in September) and New Years’ are the days I really try to take stock and revise them (I revise them throughout the year, but those two dates are more thorough and introspective).
Secondly, life will find its way back to normal. But the important thing–and I don’t think this truth is lost on you; it sounds like you already know it–is how you are centered, how strong is your foundation. Because even in the happiest lives, troubles come. When they do, it helps to have (as you do) a strong sense of and love for yourself. Even a tree with diseased roots can keep itself up on a windless day, but when the storms start blowing in, you want to be the tree with the deep, strong roots.
Posted by Smaktakula | January 3, 2013, 6:51 pmPlus, can I say how much I love long drives on the start or ends of trips? It’s like meditation for me (if I’m alone), or just a real good time if I’m with someone else.
Posted by Smaktakula | January 3, 2013, 6:52 pmYou know we hadn’t done that in a very long time. It was a nice ride with some gorgeous landscapes. When time isn’t an issue I prefer it over flying which just isn’t that much fun anymore.
Posted by Brigitte | January 3, 2013, 7:31 pmThanks, Smak. It was very difficult to leave. I’m a planner and have to be organized so I suppose that could be defined as a resolution — it helps me achieve goals, even small ones. I’m trying to be that tree with the deep, strong roots — I’m a survivor so I guess you could say I’ve got a strong foundation — having a partner that’s strong and supportive definitely helps.
Loved that analogy,Smak. I so dig your deep poetic side and your funny,hilarious side sure doesn’t suck either. 🙂
Posted by Brigitte | January 3, 2013, 7:29 pm