This year, my year end message to you was particularly hard to compose. Normally, even last year, I was able to muster up tidings of joy and sentiments of deep gratitude for all the blessings of the past year. But this year, this strange, unsettling year, I can’t quite get to that place.
I haven’t written in a while. I should say, I haven’t posted in a while. I have been writing all along. But the tenor of my journal entries (which are usually reflected here) has consistently fallen short of my vision for this space. I’ve always envisioned it as a place of comfort and peace…a haven of sorts where we could gather to be refreshed and nurtured. I hope you feel that, so far, I’ve met this goal.
But this year, especially these last few months, I’ve been struggling with how to stay true to the reason I write, true to myself and most of all, true to you. I’ve been so frightened by the state of our world. I fear for our children whom we can’t keep safe. I worry about our leaders who are more focused on power than on doing what is best to preserve our democracy. I dread thinking about our precious planet and how we are ignoring all the signs of its demise. I literally cry for the families who have lost everything in fires, storms, wars. And these are the feelings with which I am ending this year.
What are we doing? How did we come to these distressing times? Is there anyway we can reverse the momentum? I feel powerless.
I talked about these feelings with one of my sisters. I’ve been so very blessed to have two sisters, both of whom I treasure. They somehow always know what I need when I need it.
This past week, my younger sister sent me a book – a collection of poems written by Amanda Gorman entitled “Call Us What We Carry”. You will remember Amanda Gorman, the young, beautiful, talented presidential Inaugural poet who astonished us with the reading of her work “The Hill We Climb” as we welcomed our new President into office almost a year ago. Knows I find refuge in poetry, I’m certain my sister felt that maybe this book would help lift my spirits.
I sat down with the book that very night. And it had me at the dedication…
For all of us
both hurting and healing
who choose to
carry on.
Hurting…healing…trying to carry on. Exactly how I’m feeling, I thought.
As I turned page after page, I felt a loosening, a lifting, a lightening of all the darkness that had invaded and taken control of my thinking. And two hours later, I came upon the following poem that I share with you here, hoping you, too, will take refuge in the words.
The Miracle of Morning
We thought we’d awaken to a world in mourning.
Heavy clouds crowding, a society storming.
But there’s something different on this golden morning.
Something magical in the sunlight, wide & warming.
We see a dad with a stroller taking a jog.
Across the street, a bright-eyed girl chases her dog.
A grandma on a porch fingers her rosaries.
She grins as her young neighbor brings her groceries.
While we might feel small, separate & all alone,
Our people have never been more closely tethered.
The question isn’t if we can weather this unknown,
But how we will weather this unknown together.
So, on this meaningful morn, we mourn & we mend.
Like light, we can’t be broken, even when we bend.
As one, we will defeat both despair & disease.
We stand with healthcare heroes & all employees.
With families, libraries, waiters, schools, artists;
Businesses, restaurants & hospitals hit hardest.
We ignite not in the light, but in the lack thereof.
For it is in loss that we truly learn to love.
In this chaos, we will discover clarity.
In suffering, we must find solidarity.
For it’s our grief that gives us our gratitude.
Shows us how to find hope, if we ever lose it.
So ensure that this ache wasn’t endured in vain:
Do not ignore the pain. Give it purpose. Use it.
Read children’s books, dance alone to DJ music.
Know that this distance will make our hearts grow fonder.
From these waves of woes our world will emerge stronger.
We’ll observe how the burdens braved by humankind
Are also the moments that make us humans kind:
Let each morning find us courageous, brought closer;
Heeding the light before the fight is over.
When this ends, we’ll smile sweetly, finally seeing
In testing times, we became the best of beings.
I wish you all a future in which together, we do truly dance to DJ music, and we really do become “the best of beings”.
God bless each and every one of you and all of those whom you love.
Beautiful poem! Once again, you are a shining star offering us all hope in these troubling times! I wish you a year filled with much dancing! Love always.
We all need hope, right? Wish we were together this year but hope to see you soon. We can DANCE together!
Even though the big troubles are ‘outside most of us’, if we mourn together, we can mend together.
Bless you for the timely poem and your words that always give me pause. Joyous holidays to all.
So happy you enjoyed the poem. So inspiring and, as you say…timely! Thanks for your support and kind words, Kathlyn!
You are a marvelous woman who gives our world alot of deep thought for how we should be going about helping our world to heal and save our world for our grandchildren who are inheriting a very threatened world. Continue to inspire us, we profit from your caring nature. Thank you for all your time and love.
You are much too kind, as always, Linda. We are all in this together, right? Wishing you a blessed 2022!!
Yes, we will dance again – even I with my two left feet!
While you may feel you have been struggling to ‘get to that place’ your vision desires, it might surprise you to know that it is refreshing and a comfort to feel the vibes of your honesty. You are writing about some of the things we are also struggling with. We seem to be asked over and over agian to dig deeper into the heart of hope. As that beautiful peom says ‘For it’s our grief that gives us our gratitude. Shows us how to find hope, if we ever lose it.’
“May you be blessed with the spirit of the season, which is peace, the gladness of the season, which is hope, and the heart of the season, which is love.” An Irish blessing.
Peace, hope, and love…what more can we ask for? Thanks so much!
It is such a beautiful poem. It is wonderful that you share your inspiring thoughts and words that give so much hope to everyone. May you be blessed with much love and happiness this coming year.
Thanks so much, Bernie! Hope to be together soon.
Pat, thank you for such a beautiful, precious Christmas gift. Probably the best I could receive.
Christmas blessings to you and your family,
Grateful for Amanda Gorman’s inspiring works! That’s the gift she gives each of us. Merry Christmas, Sherri.
Pat,
Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed your latest post. You have captured beautifully what I believe many are feeling. For me the poem addressed the most common untruth that causes discouragement and despair: the idea that we are alone. The poem reminds us that we all belong and it is in this shared humanity that our hope and salvation rests. After all isn’t this the true joy of Christmas, God shares our humanity with us!!
Merry Christmas!
Yes, Barb…it is! Thanks for your insights and support.
Thank you Pat.
Peace,
Jo
Merry Christmas, Jo! Thank you for this.
Pat, through tears I read your words, they hit my heart deeply as your postings have in the past. But this one was special. The poem added to what couldn’t be said, only felt. Thank you for your continued wisdom and love for all of us.
Thanks Barbara…Amanda speaks from her heart and touches ours.
Thank you Pat … I feel with you on so many of your thoughts. I hope you make some wonderful memories this Christmas.
Same to you Lisa…enjoy your holidays.
Thanks for sharing this, Pat. I appreciate your honesty and wisdom. (I also love the old Cherokee story. I’ve sent it to many of the incarcerated people I write to.—I hope you and your family are well in body as we support each other to being well in our spirit.
Fondly,
Phyllis
Dear Phyllis…so good to hear from you! I had entered the wrong email address so you’ve been missing some posts. So sorry! All fixed now. Love to all and blessings for a peace-filled 2022.
Pat, thanks for your thoughtful sharing and encouragement! Blessings,
Millie
Hi Millie,
So good to hear from you. Thanks so much for the kind words and support. Happy New Year to you and Doug.
Hi, Aunt Pat! Often when I wake in the middle of the night I reach for my phone and scroll through my news feed. It’s a habit I’m trying to break because in no way does that help lull me back to sleep. But reading your posts help banish my middle of the night worries and enable my mind to settle and find peace. I awaken and there’s always something I read that resonates with me for the next day, a little gift. Ty, XO
Thank you so much, Tricia! I do the same thing in the middle of the night…not good. Please continue to read and maybe even offer your own insights here. Your writing is so worth reading! We could all benefit from hearing from you.