Dear Year 2022,

You fooled me. You let me think the year was going to stretch out and unfold slowly. That there was no rush, that there’s plenty of time for everything and everyone. Now the year is coming to a close and there is still much left undone on my checklist.

You teased me. We carefully stepped away from an obsessive focus on the pandemic and slowly re-emerged into life and a return to activity. You reminded me of how beautiful life is, how precious it is. You taught me to laugh even when there seemed to be no reason to do so. But there is reason; we just don’t always see it. I glance in your direction, you wink, and I smile.

You inspired me. You showed me that light is more brilliant when it is in the presence of darkness, when the two dance side by side. Sometimes in a waltz, sometimes in a torrid tango, sometimes a sultry embrace. I dance with them. Lightness and darkness and me.

Ah yes, it was quite a year. I thank you, 2022. Now I look forward to introducing you to 2023.