83 Comments
User's avatar
Kathryn's avatar

Cheesecake 💛

mitch's avatar

I know ow you feel Ramona . I was like you alone , difference was I didn't handle it well . You did great . You should be proud of yourself . I wish I had your strength .Hugs , peace and .I hope you have a great New Year

Ramona Grigg's avatar

I'm sorry, Mitch. Hoping the new year will bring you peace. 💕

mitch's avatar

Nothing to be sorry for only reason it got to me badly is it will be my last one .peace and love to you and your readers

Ramona Grigg's avatar

I hope that's not true, Mitch. Anything I can do? ❤️‍🩹

mitch's avatar

Between my severe Ptsd , Agoraphobia , And needing heart valve replaced again . Not anything any one can do .Was hoping I would find someone to love and help me but hard to when you can't get out . So no I already turned down date for surgery once Dr knows I mean it . So just hoping I make it too new years now . Hugs to you stay happy and healthy

Ramona Grigg's avatar

PTSD and agoraphobia are formidable obstacles, to be sure, but valve replacement is a cure allowing you to build strength to find your peace. Because you’re worth it. You really are.

You’re here wishing me well because something I wrote connected with you. I’m glad. It tells me you’re still willing to find those moments that give you pleasure, even if they’re stories coming from someone else.

Give yourself a break. Be as kind to yourself as you are to me.

That’s all I ask. ❤️

mitch's avatar

Hi Ramona .I died first time I had aortic valve replaced ,I was brought back and in a coma few months later a stroke . All that was when I could get out some .During that time my ex sold almost all I owned ,And somehow managed to get ok to sell my moms house which was left to me in a trust fund . Now I live in a crappy house which I will lose within a year because trust will be out of money . So Easy for me to tell Drs no on this because hell I can't survive on the streets . Yet thank you for your concern . Hugs love and peace to all

Al Bellenchia's avatar

Gives “let them eat cake” a new and more poignant and wonderful meaning. 🖖💕

Mary Beth Saffo's avatar

This is wonderful, Ramona. Thank you! But I do hope that you and your grandson were able to share a

Chinese-restaurant Christmas Day dinner together. ❤️

Ramona Grigg's avatar

We did! It was great, and we were surprised at how many others had the same idea. The place was crowded. We made sure to tip well, too!

Lorraine Devon Wilke's avatar

You are so funny, Ramona, able to frame your world with such wit and candor. I love it. Everything about this piece made me smile, even the sadder parts. Merry Christmas!

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Thank you, Lorraine. It's the way I see things now. Our lives are full of strife and sorrow if we live long enough. Can't avoid it but we can surely master it, and sometimes humor and joy are just the antidotes. ❤️

Lorraine Devon Wilke's avatar

Well, you seem to find a perfect way to meld those various elements into wonderfully expressed pieces. I’m a fan.

Judith Haran's avatar

This is what you should have been watching: Letters to Juliet, with Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero. I can't watch it without weeping every time. Yes, it is a love story.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Adding it to my list. Thanks.

Suparna Chakraborti's avatar

I'm glad you got the cheesecake!

Susan Bodiker's avatar

The diet gods have decreed that cheesecake has no calories if eaten on Christmas Eve or Day. So enjoy!

Ramona Grigg's avatar

So I could have eaten an entire cheesecake! Drat!

Susan Bodiker's avatar

Yes, absolutely!

Donna O'Klock's avatar

Also - the calories disappear into the ether when eaten standing at the sink. 😉

Sue Sutherland-Wood's avatar

Such an honest post, Ramona! Loved every bit - like the cheesecake!

Thank you again btw for inspiring me to come to Substack in the first place - nearly 2 years now and I am still going. Many cheers to you always and hope you will feel stronger as the New Year continues xo

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Happy you're here, Sue. If I inspired you, woohoo! ❤️

Sue Sutherland-Wood's avatar

You did!! And continue to do so xo

Ronda Scott-Marak's avatar

We watched Christmas in Connecticut because I mean, really, one must, and Music Man just because — Preston!

It was just the two of us as always, and that is fine with me. I am glad you had your cheesecake. I had Dutch Apple pie.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Christmas in Connecticut is one of my favorites. Should have thought of it! Confession: I had a mad crush on Dennis Morgan when I was young but never thought much of Stanwyck until this movie, where she was wickedly funny and sweet at the same time.

Ronda Scott-Marak's avatar

And of course Cuddles.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Oh, yes, Cuddles Sakall. Always a favorite.

Ronda Scott-Marak's avatar

If you ever feel lonely, you can reach out to me.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Likewise. Thanks.

Deb's avatar

I love this. You show us that, as times change, we can adapt and find the balance that’s right for us. And I’m glad you indulged your cheesecake craving. It’s all about treating yourself as if you were a beloved friend. Here’s to a New Year filled with deliciousness. 💗🤗💗

Ramona Grigg's avatar

I consider changing and adapting a gift at this point. I grieve that there were so many times I fought it.

Suzanne's avatar

Relative Values has Colin Firth in a supporting role. Stars Julie Andrews adapted from Noel Coward play. It’s silly but I enjoyed it.

Jill Cozzi's avatar

When we can detach from the hoopla and expectations of Christmas, being alone can feel oddly satisfying. We can eat cheesecake. We can watch "Titanic" for the 147th time. We can have soup for dinner. Or get Chinese takeout. When I see people scrambling about in the days before the holiday, Christmas Eve feels like a giant, healing exhale.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Yes, indeed. Very freeing.

William Barnett's avatar

Thanks for sharing. I,too, become sadly nostalgic during this season, primarily because I’ve outlived nearly all my primary relatives and close friends. But, like you, I’ve found that a quiet Christmas with my wife is about all I want right now.

As for romantic comedies, try Sabrina with Harrison Ford.

Judith Newman 🇨🇦's avatar

Cheesecake for breakfast? Not my favourite. I prefer pecan pie!

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Well no competition there! I've never really liked pecan pie. Too sweet and sticky. 😉

Catherine Biondi's avatar

Not everyone who’s alone is lonely. 🤗

Ramona Grigg's avatar

No, not at all. I hope we got that across.

Catherine Biondi's avatar

You absolutely did!