We Keep Trying To Square The Circle-John Avlon-2020

    People, this has been a year. As Dolly Parton has said, " I like to be Ambulance ready!!" (full make up to bed!!)

    I don't have that much to say, which may be a first. The holidays, are hard and the times are stirring the pot. 

    The election process, and one side is always so angry. I finally feel relief, when another may feel despair.

    People all over the world, are hurting from being sick with a new virus, to being sick from unemployment. Hunger, worry, Covid!! is hard to work your Ho, Ho, Ho around. 

    I have to confess, that I do not mind being house bound. I enjoy my husbands company and since March, my mothers company, she now lives with us. Now I also have to say, mom and I have not lived together in 50 some odd years, so we are learning how each of us are as adults. AND we are both old people. We feel good to know she is safe, and feed and sometimes amused, but it has been a big adjustment for all. The shoes are also on the others feet, I am the one telling her what she should be doing, I often feel like the mom, who says NO!!! Luckily we laugh and learn, and thank god for all our blessings, crazy antics and all!!

We both watched Sunday morning this am, with an interview with Paul McCartney. I had tears in my eyes (which is unusual, I don't cry) and mom said, " He still has IT, Bonnie." I smiled, because we both knew what It she was talking about. This 78 year old Beatle, had my heart at 11, and he still holds it with both hands on the guitar. There are no words, for me ever to explain The Beatles in my life, and probably none in mom's remembering them through my eyes. I wrote Paul a letter once, and told him, I would make him a good wife. I never mailed it, but remember every word. My love flowing onto the piece of lined paper, with childlike innocence, and almost teenager angst.

  Mom wondered, out loud, about his mother's feelings, and if she had a good pregnancy with this angel child. I told her, that was not on my mind AT ALL!! She was thinking about his mother, and my thoughts were, GOD he looks good for an old man, and I love him!!! 

 We are very different people, and we laugh.

    This book I am reading right now, Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey is delightful. Eccentric, educated, philosophical, insane and just beautiful. In a Dazed and Confused way of Matthew. Alright, Alright, Alright. He has found out my living that, Travel and Humanity are his greatest educators.

During this past year, I have missed travel, and I am forever thankful for what travel has taught me.

All people should leave their comfort zone and travel, near and far. You do not know human beings until you see how people live, all over the world. It is a must do. So when we can travel again, by plane, train, boat or bus, Go somewhere new and soak up other cultures, food, and history. Also during all this isolation, even moderate homebound, Educators, and my belief in humanity have taught me soooooo much. Doctors, teachers, parents, friends, musicians, preachers, homeless people, artists, family, neighbors. This semi down time, not thinking about fear and horror, I have loved remembering all who have helped me be the best person, with room to grow.

  So I hope as this year ends, we do not look back with regret, but with lessons, and love and kindness to a year that taught us many things.

  The baby in the manger, is ours, we are his, all people are connected and family, and somehow maybe near to knowing Kevin Bacon!!

  Merry Christmas, keep the lights up a little longer and maybe stop trying to square the circle.