Hoping for better in 2024
After the wretched two and a half years of COVID-19 and the brutal attack of Russia on Ukraine and the internecine fighting in the Sudan and other battles and wars around our planet, I thought 2023 would be better. I was looking forward to people being nicer to one another and more understanding and more tolerant of one another’s beliefs.
The year 2023 has been just as bad even though in different ways. There’s the continuation of the bully Russia’s dreams of the time of Catherine the Great, and continuing in the war department we have the horrible damage being done in parts of the Fertile Crescent – Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. COVID-19 is still around doing damage.
And people, ordinary people, are tearing each other apart and telling lies and taking revenge instead of trying to understand what’s wrong.
There are more and more people in this rich day and age having to do without and that includes housing and food and warmth. I can’t imagine what it’s like living in a refugee camp in the cold rain with no floor and no heat and one blanket for the whole family.
Lest you think I am heading down a dark tunnel, I have a secret weapon – friends and family. I hear from faraway family and friends, and I feast and laugh with close-by “dearests.” They remind me that being silly and hugging each other at the drop of a hat is what keeps us together – smiling.
We went to our old Centrelea Community Hall for the annual Christmas potluck. I hadn’t seen some of those friends for almost a year. As usual, the food was excellent, the hall was brimming with good cheer and there was a visit from Santa for all those really short, very energetic people.
And the next day, I was at the Annapolis Voices concert at the United Church in Annapolis Royal. What a treat! The voices were in fine tone. The instruments were wonderful. We got to sing along in some parts. And knowing some of those voices always gives me delight.
Annapolis Royal had the Parade of Lights, the O’Dell Museum had a lovely gingerbread house contest, the place was bright and shining. Bridgetown brought back the Nancy Godfrey House Lighting Contest this year. Nance would have loved it.
And so, today is the winter solstice. From now on, the light comes back. When living in Inuvik (I think I’ve mentioned that before), the sun went down in early December and came back in early January. There was a festival when the sun came back with fireworks and bonfires and hot chocolate. Those fireworks, by the way, were ones bought and paid for by the feds for July 1st celebrations. But the sun doesn’t set in July, so the wise firemen used those fireworks to help bring back the sun in January.
Let us hope the horrific battles end and people are able to be calm and safe again.
This is the time of year when feasting goes on and visiting folks and giving what one can to help those who are in need. I hope you all have a lovely season. Be soft and gentle with one another, we are who we have, to get us through the night.