House In the Sky

Last week was my birthday and each texted or emailed birthday wish, each message left on my FB wall or messaged privately added sparkle to a flu-ish rather than festive 10th of December. Comments left by family, old friends, former classmates and students as well as by my more recent connections were  like a string twinkling lights reminding me how lucky I’ve been.

December birthdays are particularly reflective. This passing year— and for this go round, this passing decade— is ending. Soon we’ll be bombarded with all sorts of retrospectives. Though it’s been a happy year for me personally, (twinkling birthday lights and a new book coming soon), this past year has also been fraught with collective anxiety. Seeds of distrust, hatred, anger and fear sprout in bald spots across the nation and globe. 

How can we expect children to grow up clear-eyed and honest when so many values stitched into the fabric of our national soul have been ripped out and discarded by adults who should know better?

Despite the peevish behavior of presidents and politicians, kindness matters. Truth matters. Words matter. As a new year, a new decade begins, these are the twinkling lights that will create a path to peace.