Last Year's Pockets
This morning, I rolled out of bed and asked my usual, “hey Siri, what’s the weather like today?” I was informed that it was 7 degrees Fahrenheit (-13.89 °C) outside. That's a bit cold for me, but nevertheless I went about my morning routine.
Due to the holiday, we hadn’t moved the car for the entire weekend, and the snow from the day before still covered the vehicle. Remembering the temperature, I reached into the back of the closet and pulled out my wool peacoat that I hadn’t worn since the coldest days of last winter.
Putting on a jacket for the first time that season often brings back memories based on what you left in the pockets. In the past, I have pulled out receipts from bars or restaurants I visited and maybe a wrinkled twenty if I am lucky. Often I find a lighter, a matchbook or a pocket knife that I spent all of last year looking for. There are always dog bags, and a treat or two. This year it was a mask.
I stood there in the living room, perhaps to stall deicing the car, and quickly flipped through last year like I was thumbing through a filing cabinet. If all I have to show for last year is a crumpled mask that protected me from who knows what variant of the virus that fills our days, our years, and our lungs, that would be sad. Luckily, that wasn’t the case.
Last year had plenty of personal high notes that came in the form of campfires, good cigars, tasty wine, cold cocktails, a loving spouse, good friends, small getaways, and yes, even the dogs who consume any and all extra time I have. I moved into the office I have always wanted. I started drawing cartoons. Not only that, but I read more than any year yet. Standing there, I realized last year wasn't so bad.
My feelings for this new year are hopeful. As my always optimistic wife said this morning when I finished cleaning the car off, “at least it’s sunny today!” So, here is to more sunny days and a new year. I hope that this time next year on that freezing day when I dig out my true heavy-duty winter jacket I have more fun things in my pockets and perhaps no mask at all.