Read the November/December 2020 Issue of Northeast Ohio Boomer & Beyond Magazine

Enjoy the digital issue of Boomer’s November/December magazine below:

EDITOR’S NOTE
By Marie Elium

Baby Steps
Grumbles, Gripes, Gratitude

Complaint-wise, It’s been an unsatisfying year for those of us in the glass-half-empty camp.

Never a stoic, I’ve long grumbled about all sorts of minor irritants: confusing directions, late-arriving friends, unreturned phone calls. Worse yet, I expect them. On the outside, I’m smiling; on the inside, I’m judging.

This year has set a new bar for complaints, and mine don’t even make 2020’s Top 10 list. Complaints lose their punch when everyone you know is complaining, too. And they’re doing it under far more difficult circumstances and considerably more grace than me.

In this season of gratitude, I’m resetting my complaint meter. The year has been awful — tragic for many. Yet for all of the pandemic’s incredible disruptions, it’s led to unexpected benefits and insights for me. The glass is still half-empty, but at least I have a glass.

Attitude Adjustment
I’m starting to appreciate the introverts in my life, those for whom socializing means social obligation. It’s their time. When an event pops up (socially distant, of course), they have a built-in excuse that requires no further explanation. They may say they’re not comfortable attending for COVID-19 reasons when, in truth, they were never comfortable going at all. I get it now.

Trust is another focus of my gratitude. As much as possible, I’m only around people whose habits I trust. That whittles down my social circle, and I’m not sure how much of my strategy is based on science. Not only do my friends now need to be fun and loyal and nice, but they also have to wear masks in public and eschew indoor restaurants. 

I’m grateful for the clarity that’s resulted from my sparse calendar. I’ll never take an invitation for granted again. The need-tos, ought-tos and want-tos are clearer now. Maybe I’m more of an introvert than I realize. In the future, events will need to earn their place on my schedule. 

I’ve gotten better at — or perhaps have become more satisfied with — FaceTme and other technology to stay in touch with family and friends. Texting is fine, a phone call is better, but conversations are best when I see a face, even if it’s on a screen. If you need a bit of tech-skill hand-holding, read our story on Page 14 for an overview. 

Many of us will celebrate the holidays at home this year, and in far different ways than we could have imagined. In the spirit of the season, I’m tempering my grumbling. It’s a special season that deserves special treatment, regardless of the background noise and calamity. The good news is, we’ve got you covered with stories about food, safe visits and holiday lights — and a bit of local nostalgia thrown in for fun. 

Cleveland Chef Eric Wells shows us how to amp up holiday meals, no matter how many are gathered around the table (Page 28). If you’re wondering how to navigate a holiday visit without creating a super-spreader event, read our story on Page 30. Linda Feagler, a familiar and long-time local writer, profiles a Fairview Park couple who heads up their neighborhood’s elaborate Christmas light extravaganza each year (Page 32). We’ve included a list of other places that light up these long, dark evenings.

This year has brought a lot of changes that have changed me along the way. I”m hanging on for the ride. I’ll still complain — it’s my nature — but I’ll give gratitude a higher priority. Decent weather… Check. A FaceTime chat… Check. A nice meal… Check.

Baby steps.
~Marie