September 2020 had me reminiscing about my upbringing and the values I was taught

When the curriculum of my raising was good manners, a quality education and life’s essentials were my lot

T’was a childhood marked with carefree moments with close knit friends

Being raised by strict parents in a loving home eventually paid dividends

I recalled world events that altered the socio-political landscape

and lamented that global warming and pollution the planet sick did make.

The pandemic had the world reeling with loss of life, a freeze on travel and life suddenly changed.

I wondered if we would emerge from the onslaught on Covid – would normality be regained?

My nostalgic recall then halted, with a plan to return and recount the happenings since

So here we are – it’s September 2022 and the world is gradually heading towards a Covid free existence

Planes are flying, travel is resuming, countries are becoming accessible again

Mask and quarantine mandates are easing and we are excitedly re-entering normal terrain

Alas, no sooner had we started to win the war on Covid when a political war broke out

One that has displaced an entire country and will take years to recover from and rebuild no doubt

Since I last recollected, the world has witnessed the departure from life

Of many prominent people, some expected but many that took us by surprise

Such as singers like Olivia Newton John and Coolio, politicians like Gorbachev and Shinzo Abe,

Actors like Anne Heche and Ray Liotto, designers like Thierry Mulger and Issey Miyake

Most recently, we lost a long reigning monarch who was globally respected and revered

For the shining example she set of a life of exemplary service to the country she adored

It has been an honor to witness Queen Elizabeth II make a promise of such magnitude

A promise kept and exceeded with warmth, dignity, determination and gratitude

Since my last reminisce, it was a delight to see the return of global sporting events in earnest

The Olympics and Commonwealth games staged the exploits of the fastest and the strongest

Well friends, it’s time to wrap yet another brief update on the events that have been

To appreciate the lessons, the opportunities and the highs and lows in between

As I look back on a smorgasbord of moments of inhale and exhale

I renew my determination to harness possibilities, to manifest my dreams, to live life fully and maybe even blaze a trail.