December 31, 2020
Dear 2020
I already wrote most of a goodbye letter to you that was full of all the blessings this year brought to me and my family. You know, the usual things people are grateful for- family, community, faith, health, jobs, peace, personal growth, etc. I really do feel that gratefulness but it’s inappropriate when too many people are not feeling that. It’s actually been an awful year, a year of destruction, devastation and disappointments, and that’s just the words starting with “d”. So, even though I have so many blessings in my life, I can’t help but feel the pain of so many others in this country and all around the world.
I am an optimist by nature so the news of the vaccine, a new administration and some peace agreements allows me to celebrate moments outside of my little bubble. There is hope for some good news in our collective futures. Still, there are niggling worries. By the way, the word “niggling” comes from the Norwegian word “nigla” meaning to be stingy. It’s also related to an Old Norse word and an Old English word that are completely unpronounceable and unspellable but mean the same thing. Oops, I just wandered down a side road that also helps define 2020. You know, you start to do something, but you get distracted and then off you go. You think it’s Wednesday but it’s Thursday, or as my friend Jane taught me, Blursday.2020, you also taught me new things or at least made me think more about many other things. For example, social injustice, racial disparities, climate change, and democracy. Whether it was on- line, at socially distanced and masked rallies, Netflix movies, documentaries or books, I am thankful for the time and exposure to new ideas, deeply held beliefs, strong emotions and clear warnings about our futures.
I hope and pray that everyone we love and all that we hold dear will be safer and healthier very soon.Hello 2021 and welcome in.
Dear Mr. President 