Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun, do, dun, do, do
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right

…………………………………………………..

It’s almost December… now, without eating some magic mushrooms, in your wildest dreams, did you ever think your 2020 would look like this?

Without running a half marathon or swimming across a lake this year, I’m feeling exhausted and beat up –

– yup, beat up from the searing southern political winds of the last 4 years of alternative truths, anger and bitterness; this main course capped with a dessert serving of an almost year-long bout of a once-in-a-century viral tsunami. (Early Warning: I hate to offend, so if Donald Trump is/has been your beacon of hope for the world, you might want to check out of this post now).

Neither of these events have run their course yet, but a balmy breeze is showing hopeful signs of blowing over us in the near future. Once more, small gusts of hope are in the air.

I’m feeling a petite surge of idealism that was fading in my heart.

I suspect you likely feel much the same as me even if your political bent may not lean in the same direction as mine.

I woke up in the early morning hours last night feeling grateful and even a little inspired by this warm sensation (Larry, I hope you checked to make sure the warmth wasn’t something else?)

I’ve been writing this little self-discovery/self-indulgent blog for more than 8 years and 442 weekly posts…

… throughout, I’ve tried my best to root out a positive approach in my writing and my inner thinking, but I’ll freely admit to you, this past year of cynicism, irritability, and rampaging disease has been hard. REALLY HARD. And I know I’m a lucky one who has had no degree of suffering compared to so many others… perhaps you even.

But, I’m feeling so damned hopeful right now. A vaccine is on our doorstep. The hardened Trumpian view of the world as a series of covetous fiefdoms where each (country) works his/her/their hardest to improve only their own lot in a dog-eat-dog fashion is slipping.

The frightful tidal-wave has dwindled a teensy weensy bit.

Why is this hopeful? Shouldn’t we want the best for ourselves and our children and neighbours? Of course.

But MY neighbours and my neighbours children aren’t only those who live on my block, my province, my country.

My wife and I have travelled to many areas of the world and happily found that people are… people… those who don’t speak my language, share my religious beliefs, share my skin colour, my education or gender views, are, and should rightfully be entitled to my respect (so long as they respect my culture and beliefs as well.. and my personal experience is the great majority are very respectful).

My friends in Peru, or Brazil, or Germany, or China, India or Morocco, my refugee friends from Syria.. they all want a secure house to live in, nutritious food and education for their children, jobs and peace. They all want a vaccine as soon as possible to protect their family’s health the same as me and you.

Surely, with easy communication and technology we can see that the world is by nature and necessity, growing closer and closer together and not further apart. With care, there are enough resources and intelligence on this blue planet to give us all ample food security, safe housing, education, equality.

To give to you does not mean that you take away from me. If you prosper, and your neighbour prospers, the likelihood that I will prosper increases. If you have a good job, you will likely buy something from me or my next door neighbour. If you have peace in your backyard, there is less chance that my grandchildren will have to fight a war in their lifetimes.

I didn’t want to give a lecture or a sermon here (really? a sermon from an atheist, come on Larry!), but rather a simple message of hope as we enter the last few weeks of this so so momentous year, both to you and to me.

And so, with gratitude and hope, I want to thank you for this year.

I’m grateful that you’ve taken a few precious moments out of your Sundays, or whichever day you happen to drop by, to listen to my thoughts and ideas. Agreeing, or disagreeing. The fact that you check in buoys me.

I’m grateful for your comments on this blog site, or on Facebook, or in a personal e-mail. I read and appreciate every word, every thought you share back.

Ah, here comes the sun… Oh, what a lucky Man on the Fringe… I am.

And finally friends, here’s a little early Christmas recipe (tune) I whipped up for you in my musical kitchen this week (please listen through earbuds or headphones!)… sing along, you’ll improve my voice…. (if Mariah Carey can show some skin, why not ME! LOL)