Adieu 2020

On By K.L. HaleIn Blog feed, poetry 
A year ago, I felt a stir,  
Unlike any I had felt before. 
To go along with what seemed normal,  
Fit with society, in terms of formal.
One might take a path that seems so right, 
Yet wonder why you can’t see the light.  
2020 was certainly a year of change,  
Everyone must have thought it strange.   
A darkness swept across the world,  
A pandemic was hurled; it swept and swirled.   
The lines were drawn with red and blue, 
Each side spoke out to chew and stew. 
In the middle I stood and loved those all around,  
And hoped that each one was heaven bound.  
Doors were shut, emissions went down,  
All the stores and restaurants closed around town.  
The spikes would occur and then down they’d go,  
In hopes of normalcy things started to flow. 
Some might say it’s been a record year,  
And the loss of so many still seems surreal.   
A new year is waiting to open its door,  
Will things be the same as they were before? 
Should you think there's a side that you must take,  
Let’s all be humane, for heaven’s sake.  
No matter what the new year brings, 
With faith, please cling and continue to sing.  
If music's not heard and hope starts to fade,  
Please think of good memories that you’ve already made. 
Someone loves you even more than I do,  
Without him, you would not be you.  
You may not believe- I love you anyway,  
May hope be your anchor is what I will pray.  
“Adieu to this year,” I whispered just now. 
“Happy New Year World!”-2020, PLEASE take a bow.    
K.L. Hale   


Last Christmas I made the decision to begin blogging. I was nervous; but the time seemed right.  And by January I was excited about the winds of change I could feel (did any of us forecast such hurricane force gusts?).
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
This is an excerpt from my journal-January 1st, 2020.  

“Really? It’s 2020.  I was quite sure we would all be flying around like the Jetson’s at this point.  Or at least I thought that as a little girl.  I knew life would be way different.  So many two’s-and the best-two sons, two daughters-in-law’s, and soon, two grandbabies.  And a new 2-digit decade for me.  Overseeing my own destiny sounds intriguing.  But this year I MUST heed to HIS calling.  I’m seeking wisdom with the year of my middle life. Lord, you know my strengths and weaknesses, you know my struggles.  You know my needs, wants, and desires.   You know the path I must take.  It’s to the place where I am authentically yours and yours alone.  And what resides there is my existence that reflects you.  Thank you, God, for your love, guidance, protection, and blessings.  “Listen,” you say.  “I hear you,” I reply.  I’ve heard you most in the quiet. And I’ll return to my small place to grow my grit and nurture my soul.  Lord, I seek you in everything I do. I don’t know what this year will bring.  But I do know this. Because of you I have the courage to begin writing.  I came up with a name for my site, “Flannel with Faith”.  You are telling me I can do this.  It is time.  It might be messy.  And I’m to stand amid the mystery and become more comfortable embracing it.  I can face it and embrace it.  But suppressing it is not good.  I no longer fear it.  Growth is slow and meandering.  And we grow through our trials.  And at times, pruning is necessary.  And endings can be necessary too.  Help me to remind others of their value, strengths, and abilities.  Guide my writing.  I pray protection over my family, loved ones, and friends.   You’ve given me the strength to step out.  For with you, I am never alone.   This is going to be a year of change.  The dreams I had as a young girl, that were wrapped in neat little boxes, have been taken down from the shelf and handed to me once again, just as you’ve done before.  They’re dusted off. “Open them,” you said.  2020, I don’t know what you’ll bring.  But I am ready.”

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3

I dedicate this post to our fellow blogger, Bill Sweeney, (“Unshakeable Hope”) who finished his race and fought a great fight of faith since his diagnosis of ALS at the age of 36.  He lived 24 years longer than the doctors had given him.  He lived to encourage and give hope to others.  May that be an example to us all. Peace and blessings my friends.

Have faith 💚

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com
Photo by Olya Kobruseva on Pexels.com
Advertisement

41 thoughts on “Adieu 2020”

  1. Karla, I am bowing low to enter the gift of a new year. Time set aside to pray January 1-3. Your poem is a breath of fresh air amidst political, scientific division of God’s family on earth. Love how He brought us back together so we can enter 2021 knowing our sister is praying too!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Julie, thank you for such a thoughtful and kind response. My goal is just to love everyone. It doesn’t mean that I have to accept, agree, or change the truths I’ve bet my life on~but I simply learn from everyone ~and I know who my true authority is~we’re all cracked pots! I find people, God’s creation, so interesting. All anyone really wants is love and appreciation. There’s so much suffering in the world. And we can’t be a light if we’re dimmed by judgement. We’re passing through~and I love that I get to journey with ones like you. I can’t wait to see what 2021 brings you! ❤️👏🏻🙏🏻

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. atimetoshare.me

    Thank you for the beautiful poem. If there is one thing we can take with us from 2020 it’s that we Americans are made of tougher stuff than we thought. We learned to share, to enjoy our families, to talk to each other and to care for our fellow humans. I hope that doesn’t die with the end of the year. We need each other now more than ever.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. 2021 will find me more humble and grateful but also less fearful. I have more faith now then I have ever had. 2020 was a learning curve, perhaps in 2021 we get to try and put that learning into practice
    Love and smiles to you Karla, hope this is a wonderful year for you my friend x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Ah dear Karla, you stepped out in Hope and Faith with your blog and landed with heart glowing. Much change has indeed been our lot and in your case from virus to a new home, and beneath it all we become wiser, more loving, and share from a more beautiful place ❤️
    May your New Year be that beauty you have created dear lady 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋

    Like

    Reply
  9. Hitesh. C.K

    You speak of faith which is the most important element and something to learn from 2020 really it has covered the whole pandemic with emotions and a pinch of wit with lot of lessons to take home. Very beautiful.
    Thank you Hale

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. He was indeed. 💚 Julie, I’m so glad to have found you here too. Blogging has been therapy. It’s opened up a world of practicing my writing and enjoying the gifts of so many others across the country. And making new friends like you. 💚

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. I love the poem and the story of courage in starting your blog. This year has shined a light on our weaknesses and on our strengths. I do believe that those of us able to rely on God are doing much better than our neighbors who have no anchor and no hope…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. A reflective and enthralling post, K.L.
    You wrote many beautiful lines, but your line: “And the loss of so many still seems surreal” stood out to me. I was shocked when I heard how many lives have been lost, in my state alone. One of them was a family member a few months ago. That is when I stopped watching the numbers, because it was a painful reminder. 💔
    Thank you for your share and for your visits to my site this year. Best wishes for a healthy and calm 2021. 🌼

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Michele, I appreciate your thoughtful encouragement and feedback always. My condolences on the death of your family member. I hear many talk about how the death rate is so low. Unfortunately, when it’s a friend or loved one, it’s 💯. I look forward to visiting your site! 💚

      Like

      Reply

    1. Pam, I’m sad to hear about the losses in your life. Your faith is encouraging! I’m not for sure how anyone can cope with any loss without faith and hope….and pure belief. Thank you for your kind words. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  18. Karla, your words find their own unique way to remind us of another year’s worth of challenges, but more importantly the blessings. For myself, I need to refocus on the blessings, which will light the year’s journey with greater faith and hope.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Wow! Add “poet” to your list of talents. Who could have seen at the beginning of 2020 how last year would turn out? Your poem shows how you see the silver lining even in a pandemic. So glad you began blogging one year ago. Happy Blogiversary!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Please log in using one of these methods to post your comment:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.