Good Riddance

This has been a year of loss of and for many people. Famous people – Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher, George Michael, Prince, Alan Thicke to name a few – are just some of the names that will be scrolled across television screens during the In Memoriam segment of awards shows this season. It’s interesting to me how we, the public, react to the passing of these people. The unexpectedness of the deaths of George Michael (53), Alan Thicke (69) and Carrie Fisher (60) shocked us not only because their suddenness and the sadness they brought but, I think, because it is a cold reminder that tomorrow is promised to no one. In fact, I’ll bet that none of these people woke up thinking, “Today is my last day on Earth.”

The question is what do we do with that wake-up call?

This is a time, especially as the New Year draws near, to assess where we are in our lives, where we want to be and how to get there. While it might be easy to decide where we want to be, let’s face it: getting there is tough. We have bills to pay, jobs to perform, responsibilities to meet. These all eat up the precious time that we do have. But perhaps spending time pondering the possibilities, opening our minds to what could be, is important. We might find out that after all is said and done, we are exactly where we want to be. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing to discover?

Also as the year draws to a close I think it’s important for each of us to take a moment and remember those things that we are thankful for. Looking over 2016 I am so grateful for my family. These are people I love because they’re family but whom I also like because of who they are – funny, thoughtful, smart and kind. My best friend Amy is never farther than a phone call away. Mary O’Keefe cares as much for the Crescenta Valley Weekly as I do – which says a lot. And there are others – too many to name – that come to mind when I take the time to reflect on who it is that brings me to where I want to be.

What the future holds is a mystery for us all. Tomorrow is promised to no one. My hope is that with the time we’re each allotted we spend it well and that we act kindly toward each other.

Amy’s father Hank – who died last year – perhaps said it best: No one gets out of this alive. Maybe we need to keep that not so gentle reminder nearer to the forefront of our minds to give us the strength to push away those who don’t do well by us and to bring closer those who want good things for us.

Finally, looking ahead to 2017, I echo the sentiments that many shared via social media: Goodbye 2016 and good riddance.

  robin goldsworthy