"Remember, No man is a failure, who has friends," from It's A Wonderful Life.
2021 was one of the toughest years I have ever had. I couldn't be more grateful for my amazing family and friends who have helped me get through it. I'm very excited to welcome 2022 and keep moving forward.
Due to the pandemic I made this New Year's Weekend much more tamer than usual. Out of an abundance of caution, I was avoiding house parties. As much as I wanted to see more friends, it just didn't feel right given the recent spikes in COVID-19 numbers. Ironically some friends who invited me to their house parties had to end up cancelling anyway due to either having the virus or being in close contact with those who had it. I tested positive for COVID-19 last early April, then got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine shot April 30th, basically as soon as I possibly could after testing positive. I hope to get the Pfizer booster shot in the near future.
On a positive upbeat note, today, January 4th is a special anniversary. On this day in 2014, my family, Madre, Padre, JDawg and Suzanne all helped me make the big move from Mansfield, Massachusetts to Vernon, New Jersey. It was exactly one degree above zero that weekend. Oh and it was also my sister's birthday weekend where she had to help me move while freezing her Caboose off. They'll never let me hear the end of it, and I honestly can't say that I blame them.
1 of 5 Photo: College football!
2 of 5 Photo: some of my dear friends ringing in the new year with me.
3 of 5 Photo: B-Rad and Jess pouring the champagne I smuggled in
4 of 5 Photo: hydration is key!
5 of 5 Photo: Congratulations, my friend.
While this may not have been one of my favorite years personally, there were so many highlights that I'll never forget. Getting to spend my 40th Birthday on Thanksgiving Day with my amazing family up in New England. Getting to celebrate it the previous night in Jersey. Getting surprised by my wonderful family and friends with a surprise birthday party.
Getting to spend Christmas with my amazing family. While we are all beyond fatigued and over the pandemic, remember our major progress. A year ago for Thanksgiving and Christmas I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to produce the mandatory Negative Covid test so that the Travel Bans between states wouldn't block me from seeing my family.
Being able to watch Luke, our dear friend get the surprise of a lifetime from Disney World was amazing. Being able to watch it with my family together made it even more amazing. He's such a rock star. I just rewatched the video yet again crying happy tears for him and his family. You can see it again by clicking here.
New Year's Eve I was able to count down and say Happy New Year with friends, at 7pm. Why? I learned last year that in Ireland, their New Year happens at 7pm our time. Even I can stay up for that! I brought in a couple of bottles of Korbel champagne to The Irish Cottage Inn to do a cheers round with my friends. I'm very lucky to have each one of them in my world. We were able to also celebrate my dear friend, Damian. I can't wait to see him thrive in his new real estate career like I know he will. Cheers, my friend.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my Epic Weekend In Pictures all year long. Next weekend will be more Epic, as long as I can successfully dodge being a close contact to folks who are testing Positive.