Silver Linings

 

I quote that I wrote:

 

2020 made us stronger.

 

I’ll tell you why from the glint in my mind’s eye, and won’t hold back the good news any longer.

 

(Again I quote)

We survivors wrestled and tussled and protected the vote

 

Yet beyond the obvious, I suggest the onslaught of the past year’s awakening, earth shattering 

 

Reckoning

 

Insurrection

New direction 

Dare I say self-reflection and 

resurrection 

 

Lies an opportunity for refining 

 

Let’s bring forth 

my defining of the year of the silver lining

 

No other way to put it 

the pandemic led to words unsaid truths untold

 

which unfold 

like a book opening to a new chapter in our country’s troubled yet hopeful history of struggle,

But before you muzzle

hear me out

 

While I shout:

 

this has been year of the silver lining

 

Not only have I heard that expression used more in the past twelve months than anytime in my lifetime

 

But I find 

 

it curious and I’m serious 

when I say through all the muck and mire I witness people getting in touch with their 

 

Higher

Purpose?

 

The year of the silver lining

 

presented an unprecedented opportunity for some people to dive into life- long dreams

Finding-their place in the sun,

or in the kitchen

a new way of living-given

 

a new perspective on the reality of life and it’s ticking clock. 

So they took stock.

 

The year of the silver lining

had us come face to face with the undisputed reality of death as part of our collective journey giving us the strength and courage to step outside of fear

 

at least that’s what I hear

when folks share 

 

that they are looking toward the future in a new way

 

Taking risks, making moves,

putting fire under themselves

to propel 

past 2020 hell

 

Into what may have seemed like indulgence or a fantasy in 2019. 

 

Or something in between.

 

You know what I mean?

 

Some of this is what has brought us here. Here as the pendulum swings back and forth between our emergence out of the darkest of hours and a resurgence of another variant aimed to strip us of our new found power.

 

This is has been the ultimate test of faith in my 59 years 

 

straddling the line between possibility, hope and a trail of tears

 

The silver linings taught me 

 

How to walk past the dropping of bodies while simultaneously expressing gratitude for the abundance of blessings and gifts in my life

 

The silver linings

 

A year ripe for reinvention and reflection. 

 

Time to contemplate possibility. 

 

Front line workers maybe getting their due. That’s still up to me and you.

In between our own self indulgence of making our own dreams come true

 

as a people we’ll shine when all boats are lifted and when we get into good trouble and put to good use a troubled year gifted with silver linings. What does all this mean?

I’ll leave it up to you for defining. 

 

Saundra