It’s a given that being human means that each passing year will have both good times and bad. However, I’d say that 2021 was different. It was a far more turbulent ride riddled with a constant barrage of fearful moments, frustrating moments, angry moments, sad moments and a brief reprieve of happy moments. I’m honestly not too optimistic that 2022 will be much better, but how I respond to the upcoming challenges will determine whether or not I have any regrets.
There were some powerful problems facing our nation and our family in 2021. Among the national problems were the ongoing pandemic, the January 6th insurrection, the effects of climate change. We were able to see light at the end of the tunnel when a vaccine was rolled out. We got double vaccinated and then got boosted. However, Republican politics, misinformation, and conspiracy theories denied our country a collective victory over Covid-19 and opened the door for variants. The January 6th Trump inspired insurrection shocked us and then frustrated us when Republicans refused to convict him in the Senate for his attempt to overthrow a fair a free election. Trump’s lies ushered in a sustained attack on our democracy using Republican run state legislatures to pass anti-democratic election laws. And as if this wasn’t enough, we experienced the dangerous effects of climate change with draught, fires, and tornadoes. The national turmoil happened in tandem with the challenges our family faced in 2021.
For starters, my husband’s lung cancer returned. He underwent another surgery, followed by 38-radiation treatments in conjunction with chemotherapy. Even as I write this, we are still dealing with the physical and emotional toll from that challenging course of treatment. It is emotionally taxing to witness the person you love in constant pain, especially when there is little to nothing you can do to mitigate it. I thought the world was cruel when in the midst of this cancer recurrence, my grandson was born a month early and my second daughter was hit with a severe case of Bell’s Palsy. I spent a lot of time praying and a lot of energy trying to be positive and encouraging despite my internal fears. And sadly, a few family members, dear friends, personal heroes, and national icons passed away in 2021.
But there were causes to rejoice in 2021 as well. My husband is still here and will begin a two-year maintenance treatment to prevent the cancer from returning. My grandson James Edward is happy, healthy and so handsome. My daughter has regained much of the movement in her face. In the midst of all this trauma, I retired on July 1st. That turned out to be a joyful and wise decision. I held my breath as I got caught up on all my pandemic-delayed medical exams, including a colonoscopy, mammogram, PAP Smear Test, eye exam, dental exam, dermatology exam, and kidney exam. Even though I desperately need to lose weight, I didn’t have any negative results. And finally, my daughter-in-law started work as a doctor at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOPS), ironically working in the neo-natal ward. She also passed her medical board exams. And on a national level, we breathed a sigh of relief when former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted for the murder of George Floyd. And we should all be satisfied that many of the January 6th insurrectionist were brought to justice, although the master minds and instigators remain to be held accountable for their crimes by the too slow Department of Justice.
While I am glad to see the end of 2021, for the first time in my life, I’m not too optimistic about 2022. I feel like 2022 will also be a year of struggle. We will struggle to get my husband back to good health and pain free. And I will struggle to do my part to help preserve and defend our democracy, the planet, public health, and our basic rights. I will be launching the Better Human Project in conjunction with Inclusion Media Group, writing my weekly blog, commenting on social media sites, supporting Democratic candidates for the House and Senate, writing to elected officials and the Department of Justice, and doing my part to help end this pandemic.
However difficult 2021 was, I got through it without regret. I attribute that victory to time spent in reflection, mediation, prayer, planning and my pen. And I am determined to do the same this year so that win or lose, I will also get through 2022 without any regrets.