See you on the other side

Seeking a friend for the end of the world year! Anyone else feeling dizzy? I have yet to meet an amusement park ride I couldn’t stomach, but this year, and the previous one, and the coming one (I can feel it), oh sweetie darlings, get me out of here is what I’ve felt like screeching quite a few times. But here we are, the lucky ones with enough breath in their lungs to bicker and bellyache, ringing in another new year, hoping for the best, expecting… What are we expecting at this point? That the Covid vaccine reaches everyone and the pandemic subsides? [If this is a test of our collaborative powers methinks we stinks.] That it’s not another record-breaking year for climate calamities? [And if you dare claim Don’t Look Up is a silly satire…you, me, outside, in five, no gloves, no guards.] That the war in Ukraine doesn’t escalate? [Is Putin obsessed? Possessed? Both? Desperate to be remembered for something other than robbing his country? Absolutely.] That Keeping Up with the Kardashians is truly over, for good? [No comment lest this was your favorite thing ever.]

You tell me. If you feel like it. Many a conversation over the past months has swiftly reached a can-we-not-talk-about-everything-we-should-probably-talk-about-because-it’s-just-too-much-right-now consensus. You do what you gotta do to get through. Constant hand-wringing makes your joints ache, and stress-induced high cortisol levels cause all sorts of health problems. Not trivializing anyone’s pain or problems, just acknowledging we are all stressed out because these are genuinely stressful times, and that it’s hurting us on many levels. We need outlets, we need respites, we need to cut ourselves some slack, and we need one another.

So keep in touch with people; this pandemic has given the perfect excuse and opportunity to reach out to those you haven’t spoken to in ages. A headcount of sorts. You never know what people may be going through all alone, and some are better equipped than others to help and comfort you should you need a shoulder and an ear. 

And is this a rambling post or what? Sorry, dearest denizens, but you are one of my shoulders and ears, so not sorry. [My sister turns 40 in a few weeks and we can’t get together to celebrate and you bet your sweet cheeks I’m mad and sad and feeling altogether bad.] And I promise I am here for you too! One of the nicest compliments I have ever received came from a friend in crisis. “You make me feel so calm,” she said. “Like everything’s going to be all right.” I sure hope I’ve been more of a calming presence than a firestarter. A benevolent, non-volatile firestarter? 😬

So, what do you think? Should we end this year with some karaoke everyone on a quest to find peace and common ground can relate to? Why the heck not! What are we singing? Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, the Santa Esmeralda version, for all the dancers out there. It’s been yet another roller coaster of a year, and all we can do is hang on to our hats and brace ourselves for yet another. I’ll hold your hand if you’ll hold mine. Deal?

With love and champagne kisses,

Dita