172. Doreen

Known by her staff as “Dragon-Lady”. Not meant as a compliment, she takes it as one. Using fear to rule her minions. She does have a tender side. I know. I have seen it. But then again I never worked for her.

171. Eric C.

“Why do you call him Heric?” my future father-in-law was asked. His quick response, “Better than calling him cluckhead”. Eric was quiet and eccentric and our friend. After the graduation parties were memories he became one only visited in photo-albums and yearbooks.

170. Toni

Walking quickly into the office, hoping no one notices the always-noticeable ready-to-explode-McDonald’s-bag. Forever dieting. Forever failing. A beautiful, intelligent woman inside and out to all who know her except herself. Fooling herself into believing she is fooling others. Food is not success.

169. Carolina (Pronounced CarolEEna)

“Take me someplace I can’t see in CostaRica.” Off to Yankee Candle then to see strippers in a bar. Rocking the car singing and dancing while driving and listening to RickyMartin. He can be her 1st-husband because everyone knows SeanConnery is mine!

168. Mark, My mom's last nurse

Showing me signs of death, breathing life into the cold-sterile-room. Together we watched Lauren Becall glide across the screen, knowing your wife would be sitting in my chair soon holding the hand of her father. You got me through those last hours.

167. Bookstore Associate

A gift left for me at the NorthshireBookstore by a friend. The gentleman who presented it watched me carefully, aware that I might be surprised. “No, you cannot refuse it”, the associate instructed me. "Your friend obviously wants you to have this".

This time of year the reminders of how blessed I am seem so much more prevalent. I hope everyone else is as fortunate as I. I also hope this holiday season finds others full of more joy than they believe they can handle.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Friday... Whichever holiday you acknowledge I hope it is the best for you!

166. Nina

Fire-engine-red-station-wagon flying anywhere required with the tools of bribery loaded in the back. Aiding when we needed things of monetary value. Stopping along the way to play numbers you dreamt of the night before. From you, I learned money is not love.

165. Lee from Mulligan's

Heart of Gold is an understatement. A non-drinker among the town drunks, he cares for the customers as a gardener cares for the herbs at first-frost. Last night, without word to me, he bought my dinner in celebration of the day.

164. Bill Rudkin

Talks of duck-hunting lead to my freezer housing almost a dozen Mallards. After his friend of many years passed away, he often eats alone at the bar. Cautious to save enough to please his Black-Lab, Gypsy waiting eagerly in the car.

163. Syd the Kyd

Very dear friend. 73years-young. Told me of her recent short stay in the hospital. Made the decision to quit her job because it was causing stress. Of course the Dewars-n-water we were sharing while smoking can only promote low stress levels.