We just welcomed in 2022 and I want to send out best wishes for the new year. Despite the distressing forecast, I’m trying to not dwell on the doom and gloom that have been plaguing us. So I wracked my brain but all I could muster was “Here’s to a Happy and Prosperous New Year!”
Somehow that didn’t sound right.
Desperately needing help, I went to Google, typed in ‘New Year Wishes,’ and first to pop up was:
“Out with the old and in with the new. Let’s look back at the past year with the warmest of memories.”
Hmmm … hah?
I dove deeper and found:
“Good luck in the New Year. We’ll need it.”
“Happy New Year! I hope you saved some Champagne because I’ll be wanting more soon.”
“To a New Year full of new possibilities, even though I’m sure we’ll just do the same old stuff.”
“Happy New Year. Here’s to a fresh start at binge eating, boozing and slacking off!”
Ha ha yes … but wait — I’m trying to be optimistic. So I started thinking that instead of fuzzy well wishes, perhaps we should turn to New Year’s Resolutions. According to a recent Gallup poll, 40% of Americans start off the new year with good intentions.
Too bad I was never one of them. As a child, I had a hard enough time giving up candy for Lent so the adult me won’t even tiptoe near resolutions. And yet, in an attempt to be hopeful, I reluctantly decided to rethink the challenge of making at least one earnest pledge. But that lasted a hot minute, because U.S. News and World Report confirmed that 80% of resolution makers fail by February. Comedian Joey Adams said, “May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.” Anonymous added, “A New Year’s Resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other.”
Then I found this: “I’m so excited for the New Year! Unfortunately, I don’t have any resolutions to make since I’m already perfect.”
That’s it! But my Housemate of a Hundred Years will howl and spew coffee and I am back to where I started, looking for heartfelt hope in cheap talk. Maybe I should just face reality.
So let’s get serious.
Michael Altschuler writes, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”
From Carl Bard, “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
Mahalo to Google for input both sincere and silly as I thrashed about trying to wish you an upbeat Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou. But the fact is I am tired of the havoc unleashed by COVID. Let’s replace weak and weary words with action and do whatever it takes to get this virus under control. This is the beginning of our third year with the pandemic so it’s time to get cracking.
As a start, the government should mandate vaccines in order to board airplanes, dine at restaurants, attend school, concerts, conferences etc. For those who can’t or won’t, they can show negative results of a recent COVID test.
As citizens, our kuleana will be to wear a mask whenever we’re out and about (please cover your nose!) and postpone traveling for pleasure. If you don’t want the vaccine, then stay home and don’t kiss babies under the age of 5.
It’s really quite simple. In 2022, shall we do what’s necessary to bring this to an end or shall we pretend it’s still 2019?
You decide.
Rochelle delaCruz was born in Hilo, graduated from Hilo High School, then left to go to college. After teaching for 30 years in Seattle, Wash., she retired and returned home to Hawaii. She welcomes your comments at rainysideview@gmail.com. Her column appears every other Monday.