I started a tradition back in 1996 of making a list of the most memorable events of the year. I always say that memorable does not mean it is necessarily positive, so don’t be surprised to see negative experiences on this list. That first list in 1996 had exactly twenty items, so I’ve made the list a top twenty every year since.
Here is my 26th annual list.
January
…Death in the family – The year began with the sad passing of my father-in-law Charles Lacefield after a long illness. Because of the pandemic, the kids and I hadn’t been able to see him since 2019, but there’s a small blessing in that Susan was able to visit her father a few times in his final days.
February
… Freelance Troupe Performances – This year Kay got involved in a local children’s theater company that produced three excellent shows in February, June, and December. Kay is proving to be an enthusiastic and talented actor with a devilish maniacal laugh.
March
… Celtics Games – At the end of March, Peter & I saw the Celtics in an exciting game at TD Garden against the Brooklyn Nets where Jayson Tatum scored 54 points! The whole family got into the Celtics last season following the team all the way to the NBA Finals. This December, all four of us went to an exciting game together which, alas, the Celtics lost in overtime.
… Gardner Museum – I spent a day at this unique Boston museum for the first time since before the pandemic.
April
… Easter in NYC – Kay and I visited my mother in New York City where we celebrated Easter, saw a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House, enjoyed the great Broadway musical Come From Away, and visited the Bronx Zoo.
June
… Making History on Boston Common – As a history nerd Dad, I was excited to chaperone for Kay’s class visit to the annual history day for Boston Public School students on Boston Common. We petted goats, discovered the harsh penalties of violating the rules in Puritan Massachusetts, trundled hoops, and played baseball with reenactors of the Massachusetts 54th regiment.
… Coach’s Award – Another exciting youth baseball season ended with Kay receiving the Coach’s Award for the most spirited, sporting, and baseball-loving player on the team. Peter received the same award when he was younger and I could not be a prouder dad!
July
… Cape Cod – The family joined by my mother rented a house in Harwich for a week on the Cape which included Cape Cod League Baseball, beaches, bike rides, go-carts, Pirate’s Cove adventure golf, lots of ice cream, and fun!
… Open Streets Jamaica Plain – For one day, the main streets of Jamaica Plain were closed to motor vehicles and filled with people walking, biking, talking, singing, dancing, and more! I biked along and met several people I know plus Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
August
… Girls Rock Camp Boston showcase – Kay learned to play bass at a summer camp and then performed an original song along with many other bands at the Brighton Music Hall.
… North Carolina – In late August we visited my mother-in-law in North Carolina for a week which included lots of games, delicious meals, and family togetherness as well as a side-trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg with the kids.
… Learned League – The father of Kay’s classmates invited me to join an online trivia competition and I started playing in August. It is hard but fun, and I even finished first in the most recent contest!
September
… Labor Day in New York – We visited my mother again and this time saw the Mets play very poorly in an otherwise great season, dined on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, and visited the New York Botanical Garden.
… Max – Our 17-year-old cat who lived with us for 13 years went out to sit on the porch one evening in September and never came back. We guess he reached the time where he went off to die in peace but we never found him. He will be missed.
… Japanese Breakfast and Yo La Tengo – Susan and I went to our first concert since pre-pandemic days at the new Roadrunner in Brighton.
October
… Oktoberfest at Bronwyn – We met up with our friends Craig, John, Jess, and Beth for beer and conviviality in Somerville.
November
Walk with Anthony in Franklin Park – Anthony, Susan and I went in search of the legendary bear dens.
… Thanksgiving in NYC – more family time in New York with my mother which included a delicious dinner, a World Cup soccer match, a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, and a stroll through Central Park.
December
… Otter Encounter – Fulfilling a lifelong ambition, I hand-fed otters at the Ecotarium in Worcester. Best birthday gift ever!
… Midwinter Revels – I once performed in the chorus of the Revels performance at Sanders Theater in Cambridge. This year’s show featured people of Irish, Eastern European Jewish, and Mexican backgrounds coming together at Ellis Island in 1924 to share songs, dances, and stories.
That’s me about to head the ball in a recreation of the soccer game during the Christmas Truce in 1914.
Reviews:
And that was the year that was!
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