When I was growing up, my grandfather would call to wish me a happy birthday every year. Each conversation would start with the same sentence:
“It was a date which will live in infamy…”
Those were literally the first words out of his mouth. He was not referring to the day of my birth, of course, but to some other event that happened on the same date (it was kind of important to his, and the nation’s, history).
Those calls were nice. I didn’t appreciate them enough at the time. But that’s how it goes, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. My grandfather passed away many years ago, but I still wake up on Dec 7th and think, “It’s the day that will live in infamy.”
Perhaps for that reason, I tend to have an oddly broad outlook in my birthday ruminations. On this day each year I like to reflect, and make adjustments. Always endeavoring to better myself. Not always succeeding, but maybe I’ll get a few points for trying – except from Yoda, that muppety bastard doesn’t give a damn about trying. Anyway, this year I’m focusing on two main things: Being more positive and showing more gratitude1.
Looking back, it wasn’t a good year for my country. In fact, it was dreadful. Now I’m not going to get mired down recounting the orange-tinted shame of this year’s events, but I would like to point out some things that bring me hope2.
Millennials. Weird, right? I’m a Gen-X’er, and typically older generations grouse about the younger ones. And I do, at times. But they’ve really stepped up, politically speaking, in a way my generation never has. I find that quite heartening. They are standing up for their future. (Which is good, after all, who else will? Certainly not the Boomers.)
Beto. Yes, he lost. But it was the best loss one could hope for. Among other things, it showed that Texas is not a dyed-in-the-wool red state like so many think. And that change is coming.
For me personally, it was a pretty good year. My health has improved notably. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with people, and technology, I enjoy.
Speaking of which… I’d like to say thank you3to the people I work with, and most importantly my family. You’ve made this year bearable, and often downright enjoyable. 🙂
I don’t know what next year will bring, but this year has felt rather like the darkness before the dawn. Hopefully, we’ve seen the darkest bits at this point, and the dawn will break soon.
Good night, and good luck.