We celebrated the welcome demise of 2020 in a manner befitting a plague year — all dressed up with nowhere to go. But we had a good time all by ourselves: martinis before dinner, a fine old vine Zin with filet mignon and roast potatoes, followed by dancing to Ella Fitzgerald, then watching the ball drop in Times Square on TV. My hope is that the new year will at least be no worse than the old one, while holding to the possibility that it will be better. Perhaps to save me from even that modest, very cautious optimism, my younger son, Marc, texted me this quote from King Lear: “And the worst I may be yet. The worst is not so long as we can say, ‘This is the worst.'” Applied to the current situation, the mere turning of a calendar page changes nothing. That said, I am extremely grateful that things are well with us, though we have lost three friends in the past nine months — two from Covid. My wish is that the country’s fortunes improve, that citizens suffering from lost jobs, lost friends and relatives, see their own fortunes and happiness restored, and that this awful pandemic becomes history,
After many months of forgetting, I came back to this blog. I remembered my dear friend Mark telling me months ago to read #17 – the description of Karen’s ashes being cast upon the sea. It is, as I would have expected, beautiful, and brought a tear to my eye. The image of Monarch butterflies appearing spontaneously was a gorgeous affirmation of hope and renewal. With the promise of a vaccine and a return to government moved by decency and patriotism rather than despotism, may each of us begin to emerge from our own dark, silent chrysalis into the radiance and warmth of the world. Happy New Year to you and Leslie and all who you know and love.
Beautifully said, thanks.
Thanks for this post……it honestly perked me up on a day when I wasn’t feeling at all “perky.” We will get this damn shot, and we will survive this.
Happy 2021 P and L. You look good in evening clothes, Lindsey looks great, as always, even greater in the “little black dress.” A comment you made a dinner about 5 years ago has me working on a memoir. It’s fun. Hard. Love you guys.
Have enjoyed reading your 2020
Journal/journeys! Keep attacking life! Semper Fidelis from Tucson 🌵.
Well said Lt. All the best to you and your family! Hoping for a universally Happier New Year in 21. Amen
You kick ass love you writing especially in the shadows of the morning it’s a great book!!!