Looking Toward 2012: My Perspective

Well, in less that 19 hours, our time zone will be crossing over into the year 2012. My wife and I will be ringing in the new year with a few friends. Our children will be doing the same with a few of their own. In some ways, it seems like we can't possibly be on this threshold already. And, in other ways, I'm really glad to see this year go in the books. It seems that the older I get, the harder it is to keep making the transition from year to year.

I read an online post by another friend a few days ago that said 2011 was a hard year. I couldn't agree more. That same friend and I, along with possibly hundreds of others, will be saying goodbye to another old, mutual friend later today. She was one of many this year who left this world far too soon. I think losing so many friends this year - in particular - made 2011 so hard.

I've written a lot about losing my dad this year. Writing about things I've experienced has always been a sort of therapy for me over the years. Thanks to Facebook, I've been able to bring my therapy to a wider audience (that was intended as a joke). In recent years, I've been too busy to write about what I've had on my mind. I'm not sure whether it has been about having enough time or being unable to get everything in order to write it. Over this Christmas Break, I've had time to go back and read a few things I wrote - back when I had time to write a lot. It's funny actually. I thought I had a grasp on things back then. Those times were really different.

The truth is I don't think anything could have prepared me (us) for what 2011 would bring. In my case, I had tried before to prepare myself for what I would do if something were to happen to my dad, for instance. I didn't have any idea what that would look like. I had been over it a few times in my head. I had even talked with my dad, about his wishes and the things he wanted. I'm often told that people make plans for stuff ahead of time so they don't have to "wing it" when "it" hits the proverbial fan (or something like that). I couldn't agree more - especially now. In my life, I need people who can plan things around me because I can't see ahead of me past my own nose. My wife is one of those people. She makes a plan and works it. I often go with her plan because I don't have one. When the time came and Dad died, composure went out the window. If not for the people around me, who were walking through that with me, I honestly don't think I could have made it.

I think we all learned something in 2011. For me, I learned about being present in the now (as my wife often says). I need to be loving and involved with those I love the most now. I can't expect to get back to someone or something later. They could be gone without a moment's notice. I may not get it right, but I'm going to work at it through this coming year.

So, with that, at midnight tonight, wherever I am, I will sing the words of that old song. I hope you get the opportunity, too:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

So many things changed in 2011. It's almost like 2012 will be a different world. It will be for a lot of people. So many things seem to hang in the balance in the coming year. 2012 is important for a lot of reasons. It's almost like we need a break so we can get ready for it. But, nonetheless...here it comes. (It's almost 2012 in Australia.) Happy New Year, everyone!