2022 Who Knew?

Happy New Year my friends. I hope you had a good night last night. What did you do? Did you go to a party or just stay home and relax? The kids and I got take out, but we didn’t end up eating until 9pm because the restaurant was super delayed with our order. They were so backed up it was ridiculous. The poor kid at the front desk was sounding calm, but you could tell he’d been battered more than once verbally by others who were frustrated with take away dinners being delayed. So I made sure that I thanked him, appreciated him and told him that I remember how restaurant workers feel on the holidays because I had been there, done that, for 15 years. He smiled wearily, and thanked me for understanding.

This morning I awoke and for some reason, maybe it’s old age, I can’t wrap my head around the fact that it’s 2022. When I say it, it’s disconcerting to me. It feels odd, like I have something unfamiliar in my mouth and I don’t know whether to spit it out or roll it around and chew it. Like one of those Gobstoppers. Do you remember that candy? It’s like that…too big so you roll it around in your mouth trying to find a comfy place so you can chew it. Unless you just bite it, but that’s not easy. So I chose to suck on it and try to chew. And this was what happened in my brain.

2022? Wasn’t it just the 80’s/90’s not so long ago? I remember Y2K, but how did we get to 2022? Like how did all that time pass? Where did it go? How did I end up here? What am I doing with my life? What do I have to show for it? What could I possibly do differently right now? We’re dealing with this mess and the virus is spreading like wildfire. Would I really want to be out and about more while knowing that I could get sick? Nah, stay home. Wish for that change in your life, but stay safe. Be boring. Write. Clean up the house. Make a New Year’s resolution this year. Do something different, but safe. Discipline the kids more or let go more or just make your own life and let it all fall apart around you.

My brain has been afire all day with thoughts that I can’t control. That’s not me usually, but I guess it’s the weather? The planets? The realization that it’s 2022? I didn’t feel this way when it was 2020 or 2021. Those I accepted fine. But 2022??? I don’t know what it is about it.

How do you feel when you say it’s January 1, 2022?? Does it feel surreal to you too?