As I thought about the past year and the year ahead, I scrolled through my photo collection for 2021. And, while no year is perfect, the photos I took demonstrate that 2021 was a very good year for my family and me. The events that brought us the greatest happiness were good times and celebrations with loved ones, outdoor adventures and gardening.
It was a better year for our country too than years in the recent past. Though Trump and his despicable, self-serving cronies began the year with fear and deadly disrespect with the refusal to promote a peaceful transfer of power, efforts related to a deadly domestic terror insurrection at The Capitol, and continued displays of misinformation, inciting violence and disregard for humanity, the Biden administration was able to turn the tide of the deadly pandemic for those willing to be vaccinated and follow public health recommendations as well as to restore dignity and positivity to our country in general. State and local community leadership did a great job as well overall despite the tremendous, continued challenges posed by the Trump administrations dereliction of duty over time and the pervasive pandemic effects caused, in part, by errant Trumpian misinformation campaigns.
As I look ahead to 2022, I am hoping for more of the same with regard to personal efforts to support a warm, welcoming home, family care and support, good times outdoors, more gardening and perhaps some time for a deeper dedication to my pursuit to learn about and promote avenues for good living for all. With regard to the political realm, I hope that Biden and his administration as well as state and local leaders will continue to focus on ways to support human dignity and peaceful progress to uplift, enrich and better lives. Onward.