How quickly our bubble of holiday happiness and New Year’s excitement burst with the disturbing daily headlines (plural) of the last week coming out of our neighbour to the south. Don’t dare ask what could happen next. Just don’t.
It added to my own fear that 2026 was coming in like a slap, when we needed a hug.
On New Year’s Eve, my car was flat-lined. It got me to work but refused to get me home. The alternator died. Great timing. Murphy’s Law. It’s not that I had anywhere to be for the dawning of a new year, it’s just that I really didn’t budget for car repairs immediately after Christmas bills.
Yet, I promised myself that I wouldn’t worry about money this year. I wouldn’t obsess over it. First-world problems.
I called my reliable best buddy who helped me get the car started so I could get it to the shop to wait for the experts to sort it out after the holidays. Grateful for my friend.
First-world cure: I walked to work. It’s about 2.5km one way. Not bad if you dress for it and pace yourself. Even better if the sidewalks are plowed, but on the occasions where they weren’t, I just told myself that my glutes and calves would thank me later (they didn’t).
Plus, your mind gets the opportunity to run wild while you walk, with thoughts that need airing and sorting and an expanse of time to do so. No distractions. No headphones. No looking at a screen. Exercise clears the mind. It’s embarrassing how often I forget that.
Don’t count your steps, count your blessings. Easy. Neighbour Tim plowed the driveway after every snowfall this season. My friend became a grandfather for the first time, while another friend’s baby took their first steps. A PSW was assigned to a senior I care for. A friend’s grief was buoyed by her faith. My mom’s birthday is this week and I’m grateful for her every day. Seeing someone I love find the courage to do a hard thing and then witness the reward of confidence they gained. Magic. Also, butter was on sale. Snap that up. Take every day like every step. Keep moving forward. Appreciate the view.
Walking toward the main street of my beautiful historic town, I crossed the bridge and stopped to appreciate the giant icicles clinging to the rocky cliffs that drape the Grand River. I walked through the core of our downtown, passed the shops and businesses that had barely had time to recover from the holiday rush, with glass doors that opened and closed as I passed by, with patrons going about their day.
The slushy sound of traffic ushering through the streets. The symphony of routines reviving. The rhythm of my breath. The thump of my accelerated heart beat. Alive and thriving.
I had strangers on the street make eye contact and say sweet things like, “hello,” “good morning” and “nice day, eh?” I met some lovely dogs walking their humans. I even received a compliment on my bright choral puff coat. Friends from a business I used to work in saw that coat from afar and waved enthusiastically at me from across the street. Made my day.
You can’t solve the world’s problems, but fresh air helps you manage your own. Hope takes courage.
Oh, and go 49ers. Squash the Seahawks on Saturday – for me and for Kittle.
