2022

Welcome 2022!  Gypsy Rose wakens me with two piercing barks.  It's still dark throughout the house at 6 AM; it's cold too, as I grab my slippers and heavy robe.  It's nice to have quietness and a sense of calm, as I lay back on the bed in the guest room waiting for the coffee to finish.  Gypsy immediately plops down by my side, nuzzling her face determinedly into my side.  The New Year is here, barely a few hours old.  2021 has left or perhaps I have left 2021.  I feel like I'm shedding old skin.  It will never fit again, nor should it, and I really don't have any use for it either.  I won't be the same person that I was in former days or years, because time has already forced me to change.  My face evidences that fact with my smile lines permanently embedded well into my cheeks. 

2022.  Weird to think that just about a hundred years ago, my parents were around the ages of 10 or 12.  I still can't believe they aren't here and that they have been absent from this life for about 20 years, or at least my Mom has been, Dad has been gone almost 15 years.  Things have dramatically changed in such a short time! Even when I watch the Paramount series "1883", I realize that my grandmother was born in the late 1800's and it is so strange to realize how undiscovered our land, our country was in that time.  When you actually consider the time span of most other civilizations, it is easy to see how the US is such a child in the world of civilizations.  And like a child, there have been achievements and disgraces, joyous occasions and tremendous tragedies, restraint and complete self absorption.  What will be our final true real story?  

I start out my walk briskly facing the fresh snow peaked mountains. Yes, I really do live in mountain country.  I have easy access to trails to the foothills and even more a bit further to Mount Baldy.  I can't get over the beautiful leaves on the trees, they seem more plentiful and colorful this year.  They decorate our sidewalks and our yards.  I feel that God Himself paved my path this morning with His own decorations, much more beautiful than anything that I could ever make or imagine.  I am breathing in the cool air, the subtle breeze that comes and wraps around me as I walk.  I take notice of our neighborhood brown spotted Falcon, resting high on his favorite perch in the deserted field.  Gypsy too is taking in all the new and fresh smells along the way, since the rain has certainly enhanced all things.  It can only get better as further up we go.  

We have our usual spots to rest, one at the park near where the horses may be corralled.  Birds with orange and yellow throats fly in and around us.  Bees are busy buzzing among the blue petite flowers.  I realize the paradox again of living in California, that in the winter I can witness snow nearby and at the same time have roses bloom in my yard, see snapdragons in full color in another yard, that has trees that have given up their crimson amber leaves.  Why, I even can see palm trees ahead with the background of snowy mountains!

But we push on, today taking the trail up the foothill to a cross that has been made with stones.  It is often the area where deer are spotted or even a lonely coyote.  But today, it's just me and Gypsy and a few other folks with their dogs.  But it is a magnificent trip, the valley below is blue, the mountains on the other side are lost in clouds, and I only hear the crunching of my steps along the rocky path.  I am so thankful for the ability to walk and hike, right here in my own neighborhood.  I can travel for miles with Gypsy and find myself with only my breath, my thoughts and my conversation with God. 

I have already noticed the faithfulness of our Catholic brothers and sisters.  I see that on this New Year day, they have come to start their year as a community in their church.  I am reminded of Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose very body was broken as she gave birth to her first born Son.  Her blood was spilled forth in His birth.  No wonder, she was the very first disciple of Jesus.  She was all in from the start, and continued to follow Him, to the cross, to the tomb and even after He returned to His heavenly Father; she remained faithful awaiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

 Starting this New Year with Frederick Buechner's book, The Magnificent Defeat has been a complete blessing.  Any of his books are well worth the read.  But today, I was reminded that I am a child of God, not because of any effort or merit I bring, but just because He loves me and has given me this life.  To become as a child, one who just receives what is put before him/her is the posture God desires. He wants me to enjoy or rejoice in His creation that is so splendidly displayed before me today.  He wants me to realize my smallness in His great quietness and presence. He offers me a brand new year, one day at at time, as His gift, will I just accept it?