Don Canney

Well, 2022 is now upon us and it’s time to convert all those joys of Christmas present into the memories of Christmas past. Time to start (or finish, depending upon how efficient you are) the somewhat depressing and often daunting task of taking down or storing those items that have to do with Christmas throughout the house, unless you are the type that keeps a Christmas reference all year long. Hey, a snowman, angel or bell aren’t necessarily just for Christmas!

It’s also time to start thinking about resolutions, if indeed you are of the resolution sort.

Weight loss, physical fitness, working more efficiently, spending more time with family are common resolutions we all make, and break. Admittedly, I am not of the resolution sort, but last year I did resolve to do my best to dodge that newly discovered COVID bullet. A year ago, at this very time, I think most of us hoped that bullet would have whisked past us by now and gone off into the horizon. But alas, no such luck, as its variants now meander their way through the Greek alphabet. More frequent handwashing, social distancing, sanitizing, and masking are the new norm in life.

As youngsters, this time of year was one many of us particularly dreaded, as it was time to head back to the daily grind of classes and homework and begin the second half of the school year. The happiness and fun of the holiday season reverted to the real world quite quickly. I was one who walked to school, so it also meant walking in the cold, snow, and freezing temperatures. And after school it was time to head to work. I’m sure many of you can relate.

Some of us started the new year not thinking much about the future, as most kids don’t. But we conspicuously watched our parents hope for a better future, perhaps by turning to politics, getting involved at both the national and local level. At a national level, they excitedly awaited the NH Primary, watching presidential candidates start their campaigns here, spending months shaking hands, kissing babies, and making stops throughout the Granite State. Some liked Ike, went all the way with JFK, voted for LBJ and yes, even supported Nixon. Locally, Mario J. Vagge or Dennis Sullivan asked for votes from all who listened. At a state level, Wesley Powell, John King, and Walter Peterson courted their respective supporters. All the candidates promised variations of peace, prosperity, or tax relief. Really nothing new then and nothing new today. It just all seemed less dramatic and less urgent.

The year 2021 saddled us with a pandemic and changed our lives forever. But it also brought us a vaccine. There was and still is much controversy over this vaccine, but it has proven itself to have an extremely high rate of prevention of death and hospitalization. I can remember starting school in the late 1950’s (yikes) when a requirement for school attendance was proof of vaccination for illnesses such as polio, tuberculosis, whooping cough, diphtheria, etc. Certain vaccines are still a requirement to enter the military, in fact, up to dozens of them. Many today are still reluctant to get the Covid vaccine for several reasons. There are many sad stories of people on their death beds for whom it is too late who regretted their decision. I guess, to each his (or her) own, but I opted for the first two and a booster.

A new year always brings us a sense of anticipation, excitement, encouragement, and hope. New opportunity, new friends, new family members or new jobs. Perhaps travel is in the works or a visit to loved ones not seen in years? Football fans can look forward to playoffs once again this year as the Mac Jones era has begun for the Patriots. Maybe the Bruins and Celtics will follow suit?

Webster’s defines hope as, “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” Here’s hoping that your hope becomes reality this year and that we all see an end to COVID and the beginning of a brighter future.

Don Canney is a freelance writer and professional voice artist. He was born and raised in downtown Nashua with great interest in Nashua history circa 1950-1970. He now resides in Litchfield.