Happy New Year to you all! It's the end of a year and the beginning of a new one. I have not written here in quite some time. 2018 to be exact. Where have I been, you might be asking. Or, you never noticed I was gone. Both reactions are acceptable. I don't normally make a new year resolution because, frankly, I know I probably won't keep it. I'm still not at the weight I want to be, I'm still working on my credential, and I haven't been writing in my blog. Did you notice the year I last wrote here? Hence, no more resolutions. I know, now he's going to say 2022 will be different. Well, I really want it to be this time around. I'm not getting any younger, and I have goals I have yet to reach. So, I first want to reflect on 2021. I'm finding writing things out will be more therapeutic, so I'm making this one of my goals as well. It's been a year of ups and downs. Indulge me; I promise this won't take long.
Covid makes another comeback and shows no signs of letting up as I write this. I will not get into whether you should get the shots or not. This really should be an individual decision, and I am no medical expert on vaccinations. I have no problem if you vaccinate or not. I myself am vaccinated, including the latest booster. I did it mainly for my family, friends, and my students. Did I make the right call? I'm still here, so for now, I think I made the right decision for myself.
I bring up Covid because, unfortunately, I have lost friends. My first church pastor's wife and daughter were taken in 2020. In my church, Larry, a close friend of mine, also succumbed to Covid. Larry was a God-fearing, stand-up human being. He was like an Uncle to me. I miss him terribly. I also know of others with whom I wasn't close, who also passed. It doesn't get any lower than this. I'm sure some or most of you know of someone taken by Covid. This virus is no joke, ladies and gentlemen. Please be safe out there.
Covid has been a low going on for almost two years now and continues to dominate the headlines. Despite this, there have been some highs. My new career in education has taken off. I was asked to intern at the charter school where I work back in September, and I accepted. So I'm officially a high school English teacher. My substitute days are over. I do miss being a sub. I had the opportunity to visit many schools in several districts in Kern and Ventura counties and met a slew of students who have so much potential. I hope I had a small impact on their futures. Now I can turn my attention solely on my own students, who I also call my kids. In essence, they are my kids because I now have the responsibility of teaching them English and life lessons. No pressure, right? I've enjoyed the two and a half months I've been their teacher. I know it's been a transition for them as they have to view me as their teacher, not their sub, but we'll get there. We move on to the next semester.
Lastly, I was able to travel a bit this year. I visited my sister in Missouri at the beginning of the year. I took a drive through southern Illinois while I was there because I felt like it. Summer vacation took us to Seattle, Washington, and my fall break took us to Arizona. I'll post pictures of the Seattle trip in my next post. I'm hoping to continue the travel in 2022. Covid may dictate that decision.
2021 may have been a great year for you; it may have been the worst year ever. Life happens, which means it's all unpredictable. Andrew Smith was quoted as saying, "We fear what we don't understand and hate what we can't conquer." I feel only God knows what will happen next, but wouldn't it be nice if he at least gave us a clue? As you reflect on 2021, I hope you find something that brought joy to your life. Any small thing that you can build on for the coming year. I know that may be difficult, but hopefully, the worst is behind you. When I reflect on 2022, I'm hoping I will have more happy things to report and share stories of the ups and downs of that year. I want your feedback. Tell me about 2021, good or bad. Tell me what you're looking forward to in the new year.
As I sign off, I want to let you know I'll be using a new platform next year called Substack. I'll provide all of that information in my next post so stay tuned. I hope you'll follow me there. My pastor uses a scripture at the end of our services each Sunday. So I want to end my post with this. It comes from the Numbers 6:24-26: "The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Happy New Year to you all, and God bless!
Sincerely,
D.Z.
