New Year's Wishes

All month long I thought I'd write a December post about how almost every weekend it would snow and ruin our plans, but then we'd spend time at home and how cozy and wonderful that was. Perhaps I'd paint a wintry word scene of the baby playing in the snow with her sister for the first time. 

Then maybe I'd write another post about the craziness of the second half of the month, complete with wicked colds, nagging and hostile students at finals, plus Emmie's 5th birthday and all the Christmas festivities that went on for days.

Or, I would compose a reflective post on what I hope to achieve in the new year. But let's be honest, I've done the New Year's resolution thing before and really, not many items really get accomplished.

Overall, I'm glad that 2016 is coming to an end. I know, the end of a calendar year is really an arbitrary thing that humans made up to keep track of time, and based on upcoming political changes 2017 might be a shitshow. (Sorry, but that is the best word I can think of to describe how I feel.) But besides the Cubs winning the World Series and the presence of my dear family and friends, there was a lot to detest this past year.

So forget all those other topics. What will make me happy is to imagine what a perfect 2017 would be like. If I had a genie's lamp, here are 10 wishes I would make for the new year:

1. The United States presidential elections would somehow be declared invalid and we'd have to hold new ones, and this time a wise, good, and honorable leader will be elected. The new president will pick proper staff and cabinet members, and the nation will be governed by those who truly care to better the future of all citizens and the earth. 
2. To find a pot of gold or something, and our family would be able to travel wherever we want. We'd go to a tropical paradise and just chill on the beach, clinking our glasses with little paper umbrellas while the kids play in the sand. Or we'd jet off to Europe, wandering the halls of great art museums and sipping wine in outdoor cafes. Also we'd go to Thailand with my father and be reunited with my family.
3. People all over the world would treat each other with respect, and no one would ever cause anyone harm again.
4. To have time to work out, read, write, meditate, learn a new language, and master a new hobby like oil painting.
5. For Bruce and me to have some quality alone time. This one seems like it will actually come true! Now that the baby is older, people are more inclined to babysit for us. 

   

   Chocolate and champagne in our hotel room, New Year's Eve 2007, pre-kids.

6. For the continued good health and happiness of all our loved ones.
7. The Cubs would win the World Series again. Hey, it's not really greedy if it's only happened once in the past 108 years!
8. Emmie's wish of being able to fly would come true. Well, maybe one time only, and completely safely. Just so she wouldn't have to realize just yet that anything isn't really possible.
9. I could go back on that game show I lost and win the whole thing.
10. For freedom for all - including the genie.

What new year's wishes do you have? Whatever your hopes and dreams, I wish you a Happy 2017!