This isn’t where we wanted to be. This isn’t where they promised we would be at the end of the year.

As 2021 draws to a close we find ourselves in the same mental place we were at the end of 2020 – hoping the COVID-19 pandemic will end soon. But this time not believing it will. We’ve heard the expert predicrtions too often to really believe them anymore.

Having said that, let us turn to happier thoughts as we get ready for 2022. There is no reason to dwell on negatives and be constantly staring in the rear view mirror. 

Are there things you are thankful for as the year ends? Family? Friends? Your job or school? A pet? 

How about your health? Are you thankful for not having had COVID? Or for recovering from it? Are you grateful that vaccines have softened the blow on society?

Was it nice to be able to spend the Christmas season with family and friends, as limited as it was, instead of being in total lockdown like last year? Do you have plans to see more people in 2022?

What about travel? We were limited this year, but did you get the opportunity to go anywhere nice? How about next year. Any travel plans you are looking forward to?

If you were wondering, I do hope to do some travel in 2022, though I am well aware that such plans must be made loosely these days. There’s a business trip to the U.K. in the spring, another to Cyprus in the fall, and perhaps some trips to Germany and Egypt thrown into the mix. I figure that if part of the travel cost is work-related, I might as well try and get some personal sightseeing in if possible.

Canada is facing more restrictons on gathering and movement as 2021 dreaws to a close. As we enter the third year of the pandemic our politicans still havebn’t figured out that curfews don’t stop the spread of the virus, whihc means in some areas of Canada people aren’t allowed out at night. I’m feeling charitable today, so I’ll cut the politicians some slack and describe them merely as clueless.

That doesn’t mean I don’t remain concerned about civil liberties and the haphazard approach to public heatlth that has brought what seem to me to be scientifically unjustifiable restrictions. It just means that today I won’t rail against them.

As 2021 draws to a close, my prayer for you is that in the coming year you would draw closer to our Creator. I realtionship with God and his son, Jesus Christ, is so much more important than anything else.

I’m looking forward to 2022. That is because I am at heart an optimist. I believe things are going to improve, that the pandemic will recede, that politicians will once again become democrats instead of autocrats.

I also believe that the Ottawa Senators are going to win the Stanley Cup. That one though isn’t going to be in the next year.

One thing that is for sure: 2022 is going to be fun, even if it is chaotic. So much of our enjoyment of life stems not from circumstances but from attitude. Let us end this year and start the new one with the right attitude.