I hope, my dogs are happy. After that trip to hike the mountain yesterday and battling to keep them from pulling me down the hill, I am beyond sore. I expected it, anticipated it, but am not enjoying it one bit. Even as I did enjoy the hike and the company of friends.
Currently I am sitting here, the sun well up and shining brightly in the windows. Smoke from the wood stove is drifting through the woods, giving them an eerie appearance. On my back steps, one of the local, feral cats is sitting and enjoying the sunlight and bit of warmth. Another morning bringing forward the start of a new day. A new and renewed hope that it will be a good day. Yesterday I had hoped for the day to be good for the hike after church services. While the sky never fully cleared, my hope was granted in that the weather held for us to make it up and back. Today, I look forward with the hope for a repeat in that today also, will be good in its own way.
I imagine, that standing where we are right now, looking forward as this new year stretches out before us, we are filled with hope.
Hope
that the vaccines being administered for the virus, are what we are told and that they work. That the miracle of their seemingly quick discovery and creation is the miracle needed to end what has been a nightmare.
Hope,
that the pandemic will end and we can return to living as normal a life as possible. That we will again be able to visit and hug loved ones and maybe even a stranger or two.
Hope,
that jobs will return and we can return to the working world so to provide for our families. That we will be better able to assist those struggling.
Hope,
that what awaits the turning of the calendar page, is not another segment of the current problems.
Hope,
that we have learned through this and become a better society. That we have gained a better understanding of wrongs done to others on a daily basis. That when we call out those wrongs and bring attention to them and the ones committing them, we are moving forward to better.
Hope,
that we have learned to be happier with what we have. Making do and enjoying less, more. A moment in the sunlight, a walk in the park, a good book to read… simple and less, but more enjoyable in the quiet times.
Hope,
that we have discovered how important family and friend connections are. That the connections made with coworkers or those we see on a regular basis in the day to day are more important and special than we realized.
Hope,
that as we move forward, we find the peace, the contentment, the enjoyment of the day to day. That we are able to move beyond the stress and find the calm.
Hope,
that this past year, will not repeat itself.
Hope,
that we have reached for, heard, accepted the Word given in the Bible. The Word that is hope. The Word that guides and directs. That even in the darkness, Light and Love abound and thrive.
Hope and belief, that after this life, there is an eternity of peace. And that, is what we strive for in this day and time of distress and unrest.
Words from The Dirt Road 