Happy 2014 from the Shifriss family Lynne's update: In summer, I gave up wheat for a while, inspired during our stay with friends Barb & Craig Benson on Capitol Island, Maine. Think I am going back to that for awhile. I felt light and more energetic. Why are so many delicious things made of wheat? Never mind, I will learn new patterns. I have been walking and walking more, which is great for my mind and body. The name of the game for me, this coming year, is discipline. As Emily, the daughter of our friends Audrey & Ken Heller, wrote on her blog, Triumph Wellness, "Self-discipline has to be developed like a muscle." I'm going to work on that in many areas of my life this year. To explain our family collage of scenes from this fall ... clockwise from the top left corner, Amalia & Abby taking a family walk on the Clear Creek trail, with Jordie & our dog Sadie, during Thanksgiving time; next two pix are Jordie, Abby & Amalia, then Adam doing Thanksgiving prep, when it was really fun, working together; next two are our family and my sister Lee, husband Eric & twins Ruthie & Gracie, together for a long brunch at Shapiro's; then Abby, Donna Baron, Amalia & Bonnie Gordon-Lucas, during a fun Chanukah night; next three are art that we love ... the red frame is a sculpture by Jordie in our front yard; then a hamsa work by Bonnie, a very special gift to us; then the painting by our neighbor Meg Lagodzki, a gift from Lynne to Jordie for Chanukah (see below ... there are several chanukiot made by Jordie, & the crocheted tablecloth was given to our family— and made by — my grandma, Amy Violet Foster); then is me, ready to go and support the Hoosiers (our three kids gifted Jordie & me with four IU basketball games); then is Jordie with our cat, Motek (which means "sweetie" in Hebrew), who always likes to "help" Jordie when he's working on the computer. Finally, the last photo is a reminder. The time is now. Whether it's time with family, reflection time for yourself, paying attention to a friend, being good to yourself as far as exercise & eating, whatever. I will turn 60 this summer. I am looking, more than ever, at what makes life worthwhile. Realizing that the little things are what's important and practicing gratitude are at the top of my list. Do I sound like Emily from "Our Town?" Yes. I mean to. Her monologue is one of the truest things I've ever read: Emily: ... But, just for a moment now we're all together. Mama, just for a moment we're happy. Let's really look at one another! ... I can't. I can't go on. It goes so fast. We don't have time to look at one another. I didn't realize. So all that was going on and we never noticed. ... Oh, earth, you are too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it –every,every minute? Stage Manager: No. (pause) The saints and poets, maybe they do some. And this little reminder – that the time for happiness is now – is my gift for 2014 for you, friends. A happy and blessed year to you all.