Fireworks of a different Kind

Spike is relentless. He would chase and retrieve the ball until he drops. We haven't achieved that yet, but we were outside in the frosty morning today freezing our fingers and toes trying to take the edge off his eagerness. I thought the frost on the agave was especially beautiful and somewhat reminiscent of fireworks on a New Year's Eve when there won't be any other kind....

This has been a year like no other. An editorial cartoon in the paper this morning titled 'Ten Best Moments of 2020' showed a clock showing ten seconds to midnight. Nobody will be sorry to throw out the old year and ring in the new, but our fortunes aren't going to change on the chime of midnight. 

It took a terrible illness to separate us, but in many ways that brought us together. We have had zoom meet-ups with people all over the place we might never have had if we weren't sequestered. We did what we could to help the people who found themselves out of a job through no fault of their own. We went without hairc cuts , we stood in line for toilet paper and groceries, for medical tests and dental appointments. 

We long to see our children and grandchildren  , but when we get to hug them again, it will be unforgettable. Never again will we take a hug for granted.

The president who was elected four years ago has been anything but a leader. He has kept the country in turmoil and done grave damage to our democracy but we came together to vote him out of office. We waited for hours to vote in person. More people voted by mail than ever before.It was shocking to me how many people voted for more chaos , but enough of us spoke out to throw him out. He may not want to go, but the people have spoken. Now we have to figure out how to bring a deeply divided country back together again.

In the midst of a pandemic we came together to march for Black Lives Matter. We wept for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice and dozens of others who died at the hands of police. We risked a great deal to bring awareness to the racial inequality in this country. There is still a long way to go but the willingness of so many to speak out was inspiring..

On a personal level, John and I were evacuated from our home and our sanctuary in the time of Covid, fleeing the flames of the Glass fire, the third firestorm in as many years in Santa Rosa. I was touched by the willingness of so many friends and family to take us and our old dog in in the middle of the night to await further news. Our house survived. The fencing and the landscaping didn't. The houses on either side of us burned down. It was two weeks before we were allowed to come back home to a house tainted with smoke and ash. But so many people have come together to help us rebuild, replant and watch many things regenerate....we couldn't have done it without them.

Less than a month ago we had to let go of our beloved Ozzie, our canine companion of almost fifteen years. It was one of those difficult decisions one never wants to have to make but so many people , many of whom have had to do the same thing helped us through it. And the best part is our new canine family member, Spike. He will never replace Ozzie but he came along at just the right time and will certainly help us through the transition.

So yes, it has been a horrible year, but I am filled with gratitude for all the people who have helped make it better despite all the difficulties and who give me hope .

Happy New Year dear Blip friends! With all of us caring for each other we can make 2021 a better year. Health, hope, and love to all of us! Slainté