As the year draws to an end, preparing to close its final chapter, I think of the beach.
It might seem perfectly normal to those of you living in sunny climates, or to snow bunnies hastening away from the cold. But to those of us in areas that have already seen our first snow, it might sound strange.
To me, beginnings and endings can be like the ocean.
Like a rushing tide, every New Year, we rush toward new goals and hopes.
Sometimes shrinking back in fear, or drifting away into distant doubts and difficult memories.
Sturdy ocean rocks, like strong foundations, enable us to stand secure. And even walk on water, like faithful friends that make us believe we can do the impossible.
Our footprints in the sand are washed away like our past failings and errors. While a merciful new year, grants us another chance at life.
The 1960s song, Try to Remember, written by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, plays in my mind. Emotion tightens my throat. My heart forms a prayer for the coming year.
May no one weep. Not even the willow.
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on January 22, 2023!
-
I killed one of the characters in my novel.
(It was more like two, but I have no qualms about the second one.)
I came up with a death scene I really liked and just had to use it, so someone had to “go.”
-
Nineteen-year-old Helene languishes in a squalid French prison tormented by questions she cannot answer. Why was she arrested? Who could have made a wrongful accusation against her? And if so, why?
-
Once in a while you come across a book, that after reading it, makes you pause and think, even marvel because you’ve encountered life from an entirely new perspective. Alison Green Myers’, debut novel, A Bird Will Soar, is such a book.
-
Winter.
Lifeless, asleep, dead.
All is gone. Lost.
Until the last frost melts away. -
As the year draws to an end, preparing to close its final chapter, I think of the beach.
It might seem perfectly normal to those of you living in sunny climates, or to snow bunnies hastening away from the cold. But to those of us in areas that have already seen our first snow, it might sound strange.
Nothing Found
Featured Books
THE PRINCESS OF BOORAY
You would expect the life of a princess to be full of delight . . .
More info →
COME FLY WITH ME
London’s Heathrow airport
New Year’s Eve
Kacie Bennett is stranded in London and desperate to get home to avert a family crisis. She’s shocked when a tall, dark handsome stranger offers her a first class airline ticket, no strings attached.
More info →
NAMES I CALL MY SISTER
Four stories of sisterhood—the bonds, the wars, the frustrations, the love—seasoned with hot Latin spice!
More info →
beautifully written! And a great analogy. Something to think about as we head into 2023! Happy New year!
Hi Denise, Thanks for writing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you also. May your troubles be few and your joys many!
I love this post, Veronica! And Try to Remember always makes me cry–but in a nice way.
Thank you, Marianne. Your words encourage me so much. I also choke up when I hear the song.
An ocean brings us to the same shores, but no two waves are ever the same. At least, I don’t think they are. Thank you for writing this beautiful piece.
Hi Neetu, Your observation is deep and poetic: an ocean brings us to the same shore. And now I wonder if two waves are ever the same. Sounds like the beginning of a great poem or story. Happy New Year to you!