Single In The City: From Desolate to Joyful

Desolate to JOY-full

Do you ever just feel down? Well, I do. A desolate feeling overwhelmed my soul during thanksgiving week as I sank into an abyss of “long everything”. Long week at work (a 3 day work week felt like 3 weeks), multiple deadlines, long week of boring drawn-out annoying calls and very irritating text messages. Just a general feeling of being trapped in a conundrum with no way out. And then, JOY.

Thanksgiving offered a semblance of solace. I basked in pure delight at my second Thanksgiving party of the evening. The first had been an intimate dinner in Tribeca, with one of my best friends, her husband, their set of 16-month old gorgeous twins and some out of town cousins. The stress knots began to unravel with the tender smile and googly eyes of the twins, the delicious assortment of food (roast chicken, stuffing, sautéed vegetables, mashed potatoes, blue berry pie, apple pie and ice-cream all accompanied with an assortment of beverages) and the warmth of being around a happy and loving couple. Truly special. Single ladies, note to self: Marry a man that can COOK cause, the food was delish!

I arrived in Brooklyn, after 11p.m, to my second Thanksgiving celebration this time with my girl Ashley, and her boyfriend John. In black fishnet stockings, red Ferragamo flats (I know, “flat and frumpy”) and a colorful fitted silk dress, I walked in just as Ashley was making what sounded like a “thank you speech”. A little cross-eyed, I took a seat and moments later, realized they had made a promise to love. He asked, and she said yes. The evidence? A brilliant round-cut diamond, surrounded by a cushion of gorgeous stones delicately encased in platinum.

Their journey began almost twenty years ago in a sleepy mid-west town, where they were college sweethearts. But somewhere between pride meets foolish ego, they walked away, both graduating to different lives, different paths and different cities.  John stayed in the area, went on to work for the government and was married for about ten years. Ashley, classic Type-A personality spent the last +15 years building a Fort Knox-type career, spanning the east coast, west coast and indeed the mid-west. Her resume is carelessly littered with accolades and awards, she carries an effortless ease about her, and is still the kindest, most down to earth person you could ever hope to meet. Even so, love was elusive. In her journey, she kissed many frogs along the way, most famously flying all the way to Hong Kong to dump her then boyfriend. Unwavering, she held steadfast to her values – integrity, kindness, honesty, compassion and such. And this past Thanksgiving, John was the answer to her prayers. Seeing Ashley up on that stage and watching John lovingly hold her hands unraveled whatever stress was left in me. Together, they were a serene anecdote to my long work week.

If you have been feeling desolate or can’t seem to think of much to be thankful for, just look around you and rejoice. Sure there are reasons to be thankful. I give thanks for love, for great friends, hope and most especially, I give thanks that I’m still here, standing and looking “ridiculously hot.” :)

As we head into this holiday season, let’s be Joy-Full, let’s be full of Joy. With a resounding accord, join me in one loud chorus – Joy, Joy, Joy.