A Reflection on the New Year

Rilke once wrote, "And now let us welcome the New Year full of things that have never been." I often stamped that quote on New Year's cards, finding in it an open and optimistic message. After the tragedies of last year, Rilke's words now seem almost ominous. What will this year bring that has never been, and how will we and those we love survive it? 

So far this year--and it is only four days old--Marilyn has had the stomach flu, and I have felt unable to get warm some days.  Starting tomorrow, the temperatures are going to fall again--to the coldest the Midwest has seen in decades. 

This afternoon, though, we had a respite. The sun came out, and the temperature was a relatively balmy 32°. I took a walk.

I listened to the rhythm of my boots thumping on the sidewalk, crunching through the snow.  As always, walking steadied me.  

Nearly home, I looked down at the snow and saw this leaf. For some reason, its beauty gives me hope.