Looking back, looking ahead
Of the many lessons shared by elders at the end of their lives, this is one of the most powerful: help one another, care for one another, be there for one another.
Dear friends: Looking back, and looking ahead - the turn of the new year prompts us to do both. Personally, my family and nearest ones experienced significant loss and joy this past year. I’m guessing that’s true of most family and friend groups, most years. It’s why we build and cling to our small communities of loved ones, to help us through the sorrows and celebrate the joys.
This very basic, shared human experience can and should form the foundation of our commitment to one another. Of the many lessons shared by elders at the end of their lives, this is one of the most powerful: help one another, care for one another, be there for one another.
We sort through their things after they die, cherishing memories and shaking our heads at the amount of stuff we all collect. We remind ourselves to let go of more of our things. There is nothing we want to take with us that can substitute for their presence in our lives. And their presence persists, through the loving bonds of their commitment to us.
We see so clearly, for that moment, what matters: time together, support for one another, laughter, stories, connections. We all know, deeply and with great certainty, nothing matters more than the opportunity to care for one another.
Now the calendar prompts us to look ahead, toward a year that will bring new joys, new losses, and new demands on our time and attention. The year we will rise up to choose our next president, and many others to represent us. The year we will determine how resilient our democracy must be.
We must bring with us this knowledge of the importance and value of care. We cannot afford to lose it in the hustle and bustle of daily life, or in the massive waves of campaign “information” that will wash over us.
Look back, and know that your care for others mattered. Look ahead, and know that our ability to care for one another will see us through.
Wishing you all a very happy new year, with gratitude for your care for these little writings.