Starting at the End — Writing My World

Today we hiked a familiar loop trail, but we started where we normally finish. John made the call, and happily I led the way. Immediately, it felt like a different hike to me. We descended with ease where we normally climb out a bit weary. I lingered over a historical marker where I am usually eager to move on and end the hike. As we neared the rushing water below us, I marveled at the views. Did I miss these overlooks before or am I seeing them from a different perch? Walking in reverse instilled the same sense of presence I felt hiking this trail the very first time.

I wonder now if this looking anew could be applied to this dreadful year as well. In January, might I look backwards into 2020 and see things differently? Were there precious moments to treasure rather than bemoan all the lost ones: FaceTime calls with our grandchildren instead of weekend sleepovers; small impromptu gatherings with friends around our fire pit instead of carefully planned dinner parties; ZOOM cocktail hours with my sisters instead of short texts or calls; exploring beautiful parks and trails nearby rather than traveling to Scotland; or the solace of weepy moments when all my sad tears poured out to John or my sisters instead of pushing them aside? Maybe there will be some redeemable moments from 2020 after all.

Perhaps as a nation we will look back in January and see this year in a different light as well. Were there vistas and turning points that we missed as we trudged through 2020? Turns that brought us together instead of apart. Moments when we began to turn off our “alarm systems” and really listened to another point of view. Yet, also moments when we stated our convictions without rancor or disdain for another’s opinion. Moments when we marched, wrote letters, or donated to help others. Most importantly, I hope we will realize that our votes mattered because we voted not only for ourselves but for all of us to once again be one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for ALL. ~c.h.