As 2021 comes to an end, I feel grateful, although it has been a tough year.
As I ran errands, and shopped for food and presents this holiday season, I saw evidence of several closed businesses, and I saw evidence of new beginnings and new shops. Sorrow and hope has mixed together in this tumultuous year. Change is definitely in the air.
Redefining goals and expectations can work out to be beneficial for most people. As an older woman, I have confronted age discrimination this year, and this has been disheartening, especially coming from a woman, not far behind me in age. I have to remind myself that discrimination often stems from fear.
I have been encountering more older workers out in the workforce helping me in stores, and other places. I have to say that they have given me above average service, sometimes bordering on unbelievably good compared to what is expected these days.
Women and age expectations are a problem. I have known several women of child-bearing age that do not desire to have children or to be married. Sometimes they are pestered by friends or family about their plans for children or whether they have a special man in their life. Leave them alone, and do not ask the questions you know make them feel uncomfortable.
I wish people could really see each other as individuals, apart from societal expectations. Let people be themselves. Respect individual decisions. Just because a person does not follow social guidelines in their personal lives, it does not mean that they are a threat to you.
My eyes have been opened wide this year, and I cannot say that all that I have seen has been pleasant. However, it has given me a renewed gratefulness for things that I have taken for granted in the past.
I see the year 2022 as a year of hope. Change is inevitable with everything that has happened in our nation and worldwide since the arrival of Covid-19.
I, for one, will say thanks, and give thanks, and feel grateful for all that I have in my life. I do also hope to share more with those less fortunate than myself.
movingforwardslowly 