THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995 TAG: 9512290067
SECTION: REAL LIFE PAGE: K6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ALEXANDRIA BERGER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
EVERY YEAR I make New Year's resolutions, and every year I break them. No more resolving to lose weight and pace myself. Instead, this New Year's Eve, I'm making resolutions of substance. Perhaps this decision comes from being disabled, viewing the world, most of the time, from a sitting position, looking up.
My latest observations came during a trip to Italy three weeks before Christmas. Like sugar in hot cappuccino, I wanted to dissolve myself into the serenity of European life and revel in great works by Renaissance masters. To give me my dream, my husband carted collapsible wheelchair, refrigerated medications, bottled water and luggage from Norfolk to Atlanta, Atlanta to Brussels, Brussels to Florence, and back. With pre-ordered oxygen tubing in my nose, I breathed rarefied air for the seven-hour flight, while I watched everyone around me wait like Pavlov's dogs, for their next feeding.
Ravenous for the first meal, served thirty minutes after take-off, everyday folks became Stephen King's travel aliens. At 4:30 p.m., who's ready for a second lunch? Three hundred thirty-six passengers are. At 6 p.m., who wants a snack? Three hundred thirty-six passengers do. At 7 p.m., it's your choice of crocked chicken or mystery beef. At 8 p.m. it's movie and snack time. At midnight, a high-cholesterol breakfast and hot towel. Three hundred thirty-six passengers make a mad rush for six cubbyhole bathrooms.
First New Year's resolution: To bring my own food, my own movie and my own bathroom when I travel.
Places handicapped people should never go: any city where the streets are cobblestone and the sidewalks look like remnants of an earthquake. Which means scratch Florence, Venice, Jerusalem and parts of Williamsburg. However, Pisa and the Leaning Tower are perfect for the handicapped traveler. Great access.
Second New Year's resolution: To watch more travelogues and study terrain before I leave the country.
Arriving in Atlanta. Wham! Jingle Bell Rock. Bold red signs plastered pre-Christmas specials on toy replicas of 747s, 1996 Olympic T-shirts, sweat shirts, padded stadium seats, baseball hats, genuine limited edition Olympic pins. Pink neon reminded me to ``Buy It Now! Remember Loved Ones at Christmas.'' In 60 seconds, I felt depressed.
Third New Year's resolution: To refuse to allow America's marketing machine to dictate my values and beliefs for the next 365 days.
Fourth New Year's resolution: To list the meaningful intangible things in life that will provide me happiness, serenity and abundance.
Fifth New Years' resolution: To stick this list where I can see it every time I get off track.
For starters: To believe in my own power, and not give it away.
To believe in my own resources. They are within me.
To believe in the principle of sharing and friendship.
To believe in life and being in it.
To believe in healing, inspiration, faith and nurturing.
To celebrate each day as a renaissance and revel in discovery.
To be flexible, yet negotiate wisely.
To see each challenge as an opportunity for growth.
And, finally, to pack lighter.
Have a safe, serene New Year, and an abundant 1996. by CNB