Resolved

60: (January 2021)

The year is new. Can I lift off the heaviness that I drag with me into this new place, into this new reality that has new leadership? That whispers of hope, and civility, and a desire and drive to unite what divides us? Can I put behind the worry, the simmering atmosphere of stress, thanks to an invisible viral killer that threatens to invade those I love, or perhaps seep under my own mask and into the cells of my body?

I will certainly try to shed that sodden cloak, saturated with disappointment and fear—and replace the despair with imagination of what might be.

I will write new songs, filled with love, filled with the future—of bright days and settling seas. Of babies born into a new world that is coming back into balance. I will write of a world where people respect each other and all the life forms with which we share this aching planet. A world where people strive to heal the earth of changes happening too fast, too thoughtlessly and too selfishly. A world where the soil is tilled with care, and food is grown to nourish and feed everyone.

I will help dream into being a world where wrongs are made right. Where we strive to understand each other, build bridges across divides, and heal what has been broken. In a world where people have been tread upon in so many ways, for such a very long time, I will add my voice to a dream of justice for all. Of equity and compassion for all.

I will surrender to imagination instead of surrendering to despair. Let the year unfold.

40: (January 2001)

Every year I make a New Year’s resolution or two, and most of the time, I actually keep them. This year I made a resolution to be more like our dog. He is splendid. I am still astonished at how much joy he has brought into the family and how his life serves as an inspiration.

These are the things I admire about our dog that I resolved to try to emulate:

1. He has the precious ability to love unconditionally. He seems designed to express love for his family with his whole being and without question.
2. He does not consume much. He is good to the environment, not taking more than he needs and not needing much. A dirty sock or two make his day.
3. He knows how to forgive. When I am mean or crabby to him he forgives instantly and without question. He makes it look so easy. Maybe it is.
4. He has a tremendous capacity to relax, taking delicious naps in cozy corners in the sun whenever it seems suitable, which is quite often.
5. He welcomes friends to our home generously and warmly. Is there a human equivalent to leaping about and racing in circles around the house?
6. He eats whatever is presented to him with gusto and appreciation, despite being given a menu that contains an astonishing lack of variety.
7. He lives spontaneously. (He never carries around infernal lists.)
8. He takes delight in every aspect of nature, displaying incredulous delight at new fallen snow, piles of crisp leaves, muddy puddles, or fields of flowers.
9. He has a playful spirit toward life that brings a smile to anyone privileged to witness it.
10. He is always completely available to comfort those in need with simple signs of affection.
11. He has genuine excitement at the prospect of each and every car ride.
12. He does not care about appearance. In fact, he does not recognize appearance as holding any value whatsoever.
13. He greets each new day with incredible joy and each family member as if he hadn’t seen him or her in years. He seems to cry out, “Yippee! It’s another day!”

I do not know what we would do if I could actually emulate our dog’s qualities. I would probably be committed to a mental hospital, because I’m not sure our society is ready for human manifestations of delirious happiness. But, oh, to dream.

60-40:

Twenty years ago life seemed simpler. There wasn’t a pandemic. As a general rule, we trusted those in power, the news, and each other more than we do today. Nevertheless, dogs still splash their joy with abandon; there are indeed some things we can count on! My younger daughter got a puppy this past year, and he certainly brightens her life—and mine, despite the fact that there is literally an ocean between us.

As I imagine the year before us, I would be remiss if I didn’t notice that our new administration has brought a couple of canines into the White House. Good things are ahead.