New Year "Scrubbed Clean" View
This "Mid-Night" rolls in 2026,
Our next new year.
As a kid, I always expected
Getting up feeling a
Scrubbed-clean freshness on that
New Year's Day morning.
Occasionally that happened.
As years passed I began
Ceremonially opening paper calendar,
Seeing its fresh picture and page
As my year's scrubbed-clean start.
From childhood, I do remember
Coming into New Year's morning kitchen,
Where frypans and used plates
Showed that my caring, take-charge Mama
Had fried up mounds of bacon and eggs,
Perked multiple pots of coffee,
To feed group of partying friends.
After driving from local nightclub to our house,
The 2am breakfast would
Make them safe
Driving home.
That's not at all my life.
Grateful, grateful.
What is my "Scrubbed-Clean"
View as I change to 2026 calendar?
I'm not sure.
Fresh snow is a kind of "scrubbed clean" view.
I think it is my desire to
Soak in another layer of
Noticing.
Noticing kindness, goodness, options
That show up in my life.
To notice that my life at this stage,
With a narrower set of options,
Includes connections, fine people,
Days with moments both Up and Down,
Chance to do a "Happy Dance" with the ups.
To be relieved to move through the downs.
Happy Ever After?
Of course not.
This fresh-page mindset
Is a lot like
"One day, one mile, one pedal-stroke at a time".
I'm glad to be doing that.
May your one-day-at-a-time
Bring you Happy Dance moments.
Hugs,
Lin
The start of a year with its fresh page
Prompts thoughts ... Will it bring in a new stage?
Renewed gratitude,
Upbeat attitude—
Enhancing outlook at any age.
Just right hat message: "Happy New Year!"
Fresh Page in New Year
Dear Lin and Bob,
My world today surrounds me with uncertainty, Each day seems to produce a new threat created by the imaginings of others or even generated by artificial intelligence. This preface brings me to the point of this comment. When I receive Lin’s email, I am receiving Lin’s thoughts, Lin’s creation, Lin’s unique gifts straight from her intellect and heart. No artificial intelligence and no other person is substituted or interferes with her message. It is Lin! Thank you for your friendship and the gift I receive from your uplifting messages.
Best wishes to you and Bob in 2026—Alan
What high praises you award me, in such a potent and affirming way. I never thought to be competing with AI… it’s a delight to know I am in a category by myself! 🙂 Thank you, Alan–Wishing you a Happy New Year.