Twelve

It's 2012, and I have reached my fifth Dragon year. 2012 is the second Water Dragon year of my life; the first is my birth year, 1952. Over the past months, I've pondered my mortality and "what's important." It isn't easy to deny turning sixty, with its inevitable progression. Although, I won't experience a third Water Dragon year, I've determined that each twelve year cycle is important for me. I must celebrate each dragon year, including this one, by reflecting on lessons learned and pleasurable experiences of the past twelve years, then planning the coming twelve years. I will review each twelve month period in a similar fashion.

U.S. Forever Postage Stamp commemorating this Lunar New Year

Age twelve was a year of officially accepting responsibility, and becoming an adult in the Roman Catholic Church. I was confirmed at age twelve. Slapped quite harshly by Archbishop Dearden, my face flamed for several hours. Aunt Sharon, my confirmation sponsor, was quite upset about it, and still remarks on it when I see her! I'm sure that's why I mention it, because I expected to "stand as an adult" during the ceremony, and knew I'd be slapped — although normally it is a symbolic tap on the cheek. Perhaps the Archbishop recognized that I wasn't a real follower of the Church.

I will digress, and mention that age seven is the age of reason in the Catholic Church. When I was seven, in second grade, I was taught that Limbo -- the eternal home of pagans (unbaptized souls) -- was exactly like Heaven, except God isn't there. My reasoning brain could not resolve that matter of faith. I decided after that particular teaching (and after a year and a half of daily Religion classes), that I was no longer a Catholic. I knew that I had no choice in the matter, as my parents sent me to Catholic School, but I resolved that at age sixteen I could stop being a Catholic. I will say that the essential teachings of the Bible underlie my morals, and that if people actually followed the teachings of Jesus Christ, the world would be a much better place. But since age sixteen, after prolonged family drama which I endured quietly and steadfastly, I have no affiliation with organized religion.

At age 24, I became a financially independent woman. At age 36, a mother. At 48, a successful entrepeneur! 

There are twelve strings on guitars, twelve days of Christmas, twelve Apostles, twelve months of the year, 12-bar blues, twelve Olympians, twelve astrological signs -- western and eastern. Twelve seems to be an auspicious number, and I am pleased to celebrate my fifth twelve year cycle. I doubt that being a Water Dragon has anything to do with being a Water Bearer (Aquarius, an air sign), but I enjoy thinking of both as I embark on the new adventure of planning and living the final third of my life. I am grateful to have made it this far!

I love my friends and family -- received so many beautiful gifts, cards, communications, and unexpected phone calls, that I was nearly in tears of joy all day long!

I was deeply touched by this gift from Sheri -- here is a (distorted) image of the back cover of a lovely hard bound book of photos she's taken during our two trips around Hawaii Island and Kauai. She created it and sent it to me!

Travel continues to be part of my enjoyment of the world, in addition to my rather unbeatable daily life. In a few weeks, I'll join Leslie in Amsterdam, and we'll travel to Cordoba for eight days. The weather won't be warm, but I'll be able to wear clothes that I only can wear outside of Hawaii, or at high elevations here, so I don't mind. She and I will have an easy time hanging out in R's house in the Juderia,  and exploring ancient Spain together -- quite an excellent Water Dragon activity!