Three years ago, I broke a wine glass in my hand and damaged the nerve in my right thumb. After three years of procrastination, I finally made the decision to get it repaired. Two days before Thanksgiving I had some surgery. I thought I was going to get a few stitches and a band-aid, but instead I came out with a right arm bandaged half way down to my elbow. OK, time for plan B…
Being right-handed, I realized recovery was going to present a few challenges that weren’t on my “to do” list. I had to either figure out new ways of doing things or ask for help. During the last month, I did a fair amount of both. For the first time in over 40 years of sitting at the “grown up” table, I had to ask somebody to cut my meat on Thanksgiving. A mascara wand in my left hand became a weapon of mass destruction. My neighbor came to my rescue when I needed help opening a can a soup. Friends who brought me dinner got added to my BFF list. When I tried to go back to work too soon, I listened when a girlfriend told me I wasn’t ready yet.
In a way, the last month was a reflection on what’s been happening in the wine industry. This year presented challenges that weren’t in anyone’s plan B, C, or D. Whether those challenges were large or small, we all had to figure out different ways of doing things or be willing to ask for and receive help when we needed it. Whatever your circumstances were, I hope you too, found the solution that worked best for you. I also hope you found some humor in those moments and used it as a launching pad for recovery, both literally and figuratively.
I am grateful for the support of my friends, neighbors and business partners who were there when I needed them. Even though that scar will remind me of that stupid wine glass, I also like to think that same scar will remind me of the abundance in my life as well.
Wishing you and your families a Happy Holidays!
