I spent the last evening of 2016 in the emergency room at St. Barnabas in Livingston. A workplace accident resulted in a cut finger that required four stitches. I reached into an open carton and did not realize that a Cuisinart blade had been stored blade tip up by the homeowner. I carefully sat down in the client’s bathroom and tried to stop the bleeding. After I regained my composure, I carefully walked downstairs to show the wound to my assistant, my husband Don. I asked him, “Do you think this will require stitches?” I already knew the answer, but I was focused on remaining calm.

I also was frustrated that our New Year’s Eve plans with friends may have had to be thwarted because of this minor accident. I was delighted with the efficient and professional care that I received at the ER, and 45 minutes and four stitches later, we were on our way home to change and meet up with our friends.

As I am sitting at my desk writing this article for the December 7, 2017 issue of The Jewish Link, I am wondering, where did 2017 go? I blinked on New Year’s Eve 2016 and when I opened my eyes we were celebrating Thanksgiving 2017. The last month of each year is filled with so much activity and everyone’s task list is over flowing with hard deadlines thanks to the looming holiday season.

I’d like you to take a moment to reflect on the year and think of all the blessings that you have experienced. None of us have the perfect life. But each of us has something to be grateful for. My minor accident on New Year’s Eve turned into a moment of gratitude for good health care, a caring and loving husband, and friends who tolerated my less than perfect behavior at dinner as the pain injection was wearing off and I could feel the throbbing in my finger tip.

This year so far has yielded an abundance of joyful events including travels out west with our son and his girlfriend. We got to experience over a minute of totality during the eclipse as witnessed in Thermopolis, Wy.oming We traveled through Beartooth Highway from Montana to Wyoming, one of the most scenic highways in America. We heard a beautiful piano concert at Tippet Rise Art Center in Fishtail, Montana. We got to spend time with my sister and brother-in-law, who have made Thermopolis, Wyoming their home.

This past year has also had its share of sadness. The same week that we were on vacation, our beloved Uncle Eddie passed away peacefully. Our return home from vacation began with a funeral for a very special person in my life, who was my inspiration and my biggest fan. I always knew that in Uncle Eddie’s presence I was someone special.

I would like to thank my readers for your support and positive feedback for my articles. I would like to thank my clients who have trusted me with their homes, their secrets, their conflict with their over-abundance of belongings, and yes, their joy. I am convinced that there is always hope. Even if the glass is only 1/8th full there is opportunity for change.

I send you all a hug and my wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2018.

Happy Organizing!

By Eileen Bergman

 Eileen Bergman is a professional organizer, and a proud member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD). Eileen is listed in the resource directory for the Hoarding Disorder Resource and Training Group. Eileen may be reached at 973-303-3236 or [email protected].