On the cusp of a new year, we reminisce the grief and joy of 2021. For me, I hold the joy of three friends having new babies this year AND the grief over the number of COVID tests my family went through this fall. On New Year’s Eve last year, my family wrote down the things we did not like about 2020, we made a bonfire and we burned them away! Then around that same fire, we named aloud all the good memories for 2020, and there were so many! We then named hopes for 2021, many have come true while others we will hope for again in 2022.
New Year’s Eve and Day hold a lot of “both/and feelings.”
So when I watched this Google commercial, it brought me to tears. It reminds me of how much we have to celebrate even in the hard times. It makes me want to tattoo two words on my wrists in 2022: resiliency and hope.
Two things really stood out to me from the video:
The first speaker said, “I am broken and I am healing.” Aren’t we all right now?
And once again, the powerful words of Amanda Gormon from her poem “The Hill We Climb” saying,
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew
That even as we hurt, we hoped
That even as we tired, we tried
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious
Here we are in a both/and moment. I think God shows up even more sometimes in the both/and moments… when we grieve big and thank hard, God is right there with us. So cheers to the past year and the new year, may we face 2022 with resiliency, hope, and love.
In the comments of this blog, name one thing you didn’t like from 2021, one thing that brought you joy in 2021, and one thing you hope for in 2022. Let that be our prayer this day. Amen.
-Written by Brittany Porch
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Thank you for putting into words what we feel.
What I didn’t like about 2021; the loss of my best friend, my husband—Edward. My hope for 2022 is for most people to be compassionate and kind.
Did not like those who CHOSE not to vaccinate;
Joy in seeing family IN PERSON;
Hope for conquering COVID.
Covid in our family
All my families- biological, church, far-flung!
Good health for all.
Do not like the hate in America.
Joy in getting married, with close friends to witness.
Hope that people come to their senses and get vaccinated.
In 2021, I was pained by being rejected by my step-mom and her family.
In 2021, I experienced the joy of a new friend and bible study partner.
In 2022, I hope for strength to develop my talents and let go of toxic things…
In 2021, I felt fear for my health and for the health of those around me. I felt frustration for those who will not vaccinate and fear for their lives too.
My wonderful grandchildren brought me great joy in 2021.
In 2022, I pray for resiliency against the Covid virus, better health, and kindness from and to all.
Poignant and Profound as the Year closing in~ On! The Yin and The Yang….
The Good and Bad….. The Suffering and Healing …….
My Take is Always Hope ~ Resilience ~ Reflection ~ Growth! Through Love ❤️
Acceptance, Tolerance, Community, Hard Work and Play😍
Steve and I are joyful that I could walk after my accident. We were also joyful that we had 3 family gatherings. Sorrows were that we experienced the loss of several friends and our much loved pet, Shadow. Most hopeful in 2022 for a successful surgery for my knee replacement and that our granddaughter is able to complete her degree.