by Ernie McCray
2024
was a year
unlike any I’ve ever undergone before,
one in which I feel as though I barely survived.
The year did, however, provide me
with a few lovely upsides
such as some really good times
with family and friends,
moments where I cheerfully
rooted for our country’s Olympians
and watched a masterful basketball player whose
artistic wizardry in the gym
made millions of people
women’s roundball fans,
and nothing made me more happy
this past year
than welcoming
a beautiful grandson
into my family
as a nice addition
to the younger generation
of my grandchildren,
wonderful children
who seem to enjoy life,
engaging in music and rock art
and Rubix Cubes
and rock climbing
and an assortment
of other activities.
It doesn’t get any better than that
for me,
but the year, specifically,
because it
highlighted so much inhumanity
that I wish my progeny didn’t have to see,
represents
way more of my lows
than my highs,
as there were some rock-bottom kinds of moments
that brought tears to my eyes
like the brutal attack at a concert in Israel
which led to genocide in Gaza
triggering ugly and vicious anti-Jewish and anti-Arab sentiments
on our shores
which has spilled, of course, into our schools
wherein Arab/Muslim students or receiving
little to no support
(and I’m working to bring that negligence to an end)
due to stereotypes too many Americans,
including educators,
hold to be true
of Palestinians
being innately drawn to terrorism,
and when I combine that
with the election of a man
for president AGAIN
who isn’t going to do anything anywhere near
offering them, or anybody else in need, a helping hand –
well,
I find myself eager
to wave 2024 goodbye.
And, with that,
welcome the year, 2025,
with open arms
hoping that it will be the first full year
of a people
fighting sincerely
to save our democracy,
coming to a collective understanding
that, although
there will be many obstacles
strewn in our path
as we fight to maintain the liberties
that are meant for us,
each other is all we’ve got essentially.
And that’s more than enough
it appears to me
if we truly love
and value our country
and our children’s future
in this still new century.
