Moving into the year of 2020 is exciting because somehow the previous ten years, in many respects, were unhappy ones. Although I can honestly say I have been richly blessed during those years, the world in general seemed to have become unsettled and grumpy. I bemoan the fact that there is a decline in newspaper reading, hence newspaper publishing. I bemoan the fact that there is a sense that our father’s things are no longer in vogue. Talking with a friend recently, a man whose home is furnished with lovely antiques and museum quality items, he told me his children “have no use for these things and want me to sell them.” We took solace in the fact that perhaps grandchildren or great grandchildren might want them. Such a thought gave us a modicum of hope.
Hope is that feather in the human breast, of which Emily Dickinson wrote in the mid-nineteenth “Hope is the thing with feathers/That perches in the soul, /And sings the tune without the words, /And never stops at all,…
We experienced some huge losses and changes during these past years and know those will continue to come. That’s life, but there is always hope, and that gives this new decade impetus.
But before I move into thoughts about writing and resolutions during these coming times, let me review a couple of highlights experienced during the previous month. The weather was gorgeous and balmy in our region. As one person murmured, ”If this is climate change, let it come!” We did rejoice in our good weather although we were aware of disastrous storms and bushfires taking place elsewhere. A tragedy and a real sadness.
Dinners and friends- I will mention two: One was a Christmas dinner that featured lamb—the most tender and delicious I’ve ever tasted-- and a gorgeous feathery and flocked Christmas tree featuring ostrich, peasant , and peacock feathers and over fifty tiny birds tucked among twinkling lights, white and blue. In the greenery also were 22 real candles which gave the tree an ethereal look. When the lights were turned out, and the candles lit --(the fire extinguisher was nearby)--, we as guests sat in astonishment at such a sight.
The other was a New Years’ lunch gathering, so civilized in the middle of the day, with friends from long ago sharing stories about books, people, pets, land, children, epigenetics, and travels. It was so relaxing to enjoy the coming of a new decade in the middle of the day and be able to come home and for the twelfth hour! Here in our home, we celebrate Christmas until Jan. 6th, and each day my husband checks to see that the old-fashioned bubble lights are bubbling. They are. They do.
So my brother sent me books to read- a treasure of good authors. Amid all this good cheer, I displayed the various cards and their sentiments of good will, good luck, and good wishes for a blessed holiday. I was blessed, and I have hope for the coming decade. May the spirit of hope happen to you as well. And for sure, may you read a book, share a story whether over a dinner table or the back yard fence, and perhaps write your story, for everyone indeed has a story to tell. The plot need not be a heavy one, but if it is, share it so others.
Hope is that feather in the human breast, of which Emily Dickinson wrote in the mid-nineteenth “Hope is the thing with feathers/That perches in the soul, /And sings the tune without the words, /And never stops at all,…
We experienced some huge losses and changes during these past years and know those will continue to come. That’s life, but there is always hope, and that gives this new decade impetus.
But before I move into thoughts about writing and resolutions during these coming times, let me review a couple of highlights experienced during the previous month. The weather was gorgeous and balmy in our region. As one person murmured, ”If this is climate change, let it come!” We did rejoice in our good weather although we were aware of disastrous storms and bushfires taking place elsewhere. A tragedy and a real sadness.
Dinners and friends- I will mention two: One was a Christmas dinner that featured lamb—the most tender and delicious I’ve ever tasted-- and a gorgeous feathery and flocked Christmas tree featuring ostrich, peasant , and peacock feathers and over fifty tiny birds tucked among twinkling lights, white and blue. In the greenery also were 22 real candles which gave the tree an ethereal look. When the lights were turned out, and the candles lit --(the fire extinguisher was nearby)--, we as guests sat in astonishment at such a sight.
The other was a New Years’ lunch gathering, so civilized in the middle of the day, with friends from long ago sharing stories about books, people, pets, land, children, epigenetics, and travels. It was so relaxing to enjoy the coming of a new decade in the middle of the day and be able to come home and for the twelfth hour! Here in our home, we celebrate Christmas until Jan. 6th, and each day my husband checks to see that the old-fashioned bubble lights are bubbling. They are. They do.
So my brother sent me books to read- a treasure of good authors. Amid all this good cheer, I displayed the various cards and their sentiments of good will, good luck, and good wishes for a blessed holiday. I was blessed, and I have hope for the coming decade. May the spirit of hope happen to you as well. And for sure, may you read a book, share a story whether over a dinner table or the back yard fence, and perhaps write your story, for everyone indeed has a story to tell. The plot need not be a heavy one, but if it is, share it so others.
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