Happy New Year

I am planning to slide very quietly into the new year

in hopes that I will be able to find a peaceful corner to recover my equilibrium

after the disquiet of our own personal

Annus Horribilis

Such a sad year with all the divisions in our ecumenical church,

 which for 42 years had enjoyed the friendly worship

of two denominations and which now lies in tatters.

And it ended in sorrow as we lost our darling

husband and father.

And so I greet the New Year with new aspirations,

 still grieving, but with hope and love and mindfulness,

and with grateful thanks and memories

For last year's words belong to last year's language

and next year's words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.
T.S. Eliot