2021, A New Hope

  Not to dwell on my upcoming presentation tomorrow but, on the 273rd day of 2021, I have to.  Since the presentation is tomorrow, I spent most of 9/30/2021 thinking about it.  And, in short, I hope I am prepared.  I think I am.  Others think it's going to go well.  Now, I just need to get to sleep, sleep well, and get it done tomorrow.  Pretty sure I am prepared, hope I am right.

  I woke up worried on the 272nd day of 2021.  I have a big presentation coming up for work, and a "dry-run" of it was scheduled for today, in front of the project team.  And I was worried I would not do well.  But, 30 minutes before the presentation on 9/29/2021, I went outside and sat on a bench (it was a beautiful day today).  Deep breathing to relieve the stress.  And, then, I went inside and did the presentation, and it went MUCH better than I thought it would.  What a relief.  There are things I need to do differently on Friday but I feel a LOT better tonight, than I did this morning.  So, I guess I am hoping for relief.  There are a LOT of things I have worries about.  And I hope, just as they were this morning, that the worries are misplaced.  I hope I find relief in sitting in the fresh air, or calmly delivering my presentations, or hearing better news about the world and Covid and other issues of the day.  Relief...

The 271st day of 2021 is National Voter Registration Day.  So I have spent a lot of time on 9/28/2021 thinking about my voting hopes.  I am saddened by all of what I am hearing about voter suppression laws being passed in many states and I am hoping that those in Congress can move forward on the John Lewis Voters Right Law.  I am hoping that, against all odds, people will continue to come out a vote and that we do not allow campaigns against people executing their rights to be victorious only because of who can't vote, not who can.  I hope that people who were purged off of voting rolls, got wise and re-registered or soon will do so.  We need to do all we can do to keep our Democracy going.  Please register to (and, in November), VOTE!

  It is never good to be without hope.  But, on the 270th day of 2021 it was OK that I was without.  Because, the evening of 9/27/21 was the initial showdown for the Eagles with the Dallas Coqboys.  And they were shellacked.  As I predicted to Greg at our from desk in the Franklin Building as I left for the garage.  Greg, as a Saints fan coming off a big win this past weekend, chuckled under his breath but he knew I was right.  And I barely made it to halftime.  I had no thoughts, during that game, that they would come back and win.  So I guess, as important as having hope is, sometimes no hope is OK. I mean I still have hope for much in my life, and I even have hope (false as it may be) that the Phillies will make the playoffs and get past the first round.  When it comes to sports, no hope IS likely better than false hope.  Because sports are not real.  Even if they often cause pain, but also joy and elation.

  I have been thinking about history a lot.  Even before, on the 269th day of 2021, we had an amazing historical sermon this morning at our Anniversary Sunday service at Old First.  We are in the process of renovating our sanctuary at 4th and Race and we have to, as a Congregation, make some decisions about some of the iconic features of our space.  We already have decided (much to my personal chagrin) to move away from pews and go, for about 90% of our seating space, to chairs.  Personally, I do not like this decision, but I understand why so many people want it and I will have to (hopefully) get used to it.  But there are other decisions about artwork, and other details of the sanctuary where the history of why they were created and why they were chosen is important for us to know, to put our decisions in the proper context.  So, on 9/26/2021, I have historical hopes.  Not only for those of us at our church, but also for the decision makers that...

  There are a lot of days that are made up holidays just to get us to buy something, or send someone a card, or do something else that creates money for others.  Well, 9/25/2021 is National Daughters Day and, although it's one of these made up days, it has been so nice to see everyone's posts honoring their daughters and, yes, Sarah and I made our own as well.  But it did, on the 268th day of 2021, make me think of my hopes for their daughters.  I hope that they always know my undying love and support for them.  I hope that, as they grow older and more independent, that I will always be able to see them and talk to them for more than just a quick moment.  I hope that their dreams come true.  I hope that they are happy, healthy, and have good humor.  And, I hope I enjoy watching them grow and succeed and cannot wait to see the amazing things they will do in the future.  I've said it many times, I think I was meant to be the father of daughters...

9/24/2021 was the evening of the Penn Band's First Year BBQ (once again, no First Years were barbecued at this year's BBQ).  So, after work on the 267th day of 2021, I went with one of the Band's Social Chairs (and Alexa helped) to get the supplies from the local BJs.  I am glad to help with this event because food always breeds friendship and fellowship.  My BBQ Hopes this evening are that everyone had a good time and that they had enough food and that the new members of the Band feel welcomed and wanted.  All leading up to our first Home Football Game (and Friday Night Lights!) next week!  Welcome new members of the Penn Band!

So at the end of the workday on the 266th day of 2021, Sarah and I attended the Parent Meeting for the CHS Senior Class of 2022 Senior Trip.  This caused me to have Senior Trip Hopes on 9/23/2021.  It was just two short years ago that we sat and listened to the pitch for the Class of 2020 Senior Trip.  We signed Alexa up (we will sign Anna up too!)  And, of all of the things that were lost in the Spring of 2022, I think the lack of a Class Trip was the part that was most disappointing for Alexa.  SO, I hope that this trip can go off without a hitch.  I hope Anna and her classmates have a wonderful time.  And, frankly, I hope that the Class of '22 does not lose as much as was lost by the Classes of '20 and '21.  OH, and I hope I get to go to Disney soon too!

  The Penn Band has Field Rehearsal on Wednesday nights.  They have for years!  And, since I am one of the Assistant Directors, I often stay on campus, late, on Wednesdays.  Now that Alexa and I are BOTH on campus, I use that as an excuse to try to grab dinner with her, on Wednesdays.  And, on the 265th day of 2021, we met up with one of her High School friends who goes to Drexel and headed in to Shake Shack for a nice meal and some catching up.  On 9/22/21, I have High School Friend Hopes.  I am glad that Alexa still keeps in touch with a lot of her friends from High School.  And, thanks to Facebook, so do I!  Social Media has a lot of faults, but the benefits of being able to stay connected (and reconnect) with my HS friends has been a huge benefit to me.  I hope that I can continue to stay connected to my HS friends and that Alexa and her HS friends continue to stay connected too.  I also hope that the parents of those HS friends...

  Annually on the third Tuesday in September, it is National IT Professionals Day.  And, thus, on 9/21/2021, I am celebrating with IT Professional hopes.  I was thinking, on the 264th day of 2021, how ironic that I am in a job with an official job class of Information Technology Senior Project Leader.  The guy who was denied a transfer from the College to the School of Engineering while I was an undergraduate at Penn.  I hope that I can continue to contribute to this project.  I hope that I can work with all of my IT Professional colleagues to get us to our milestones and beyond.  And I hope that I can continue to combine my IT work with the interpersonal connections that makes working at Penn so interesting and entertaining.  Most days.  Now back to my email backlog :-).  Goodnight!

  I have hopes for my younger sister on the 263rd day of 2021.  Because 9/20/2021 is her birthday!  There is a lot going on in our worlds today, but I am so glad that we got to spend a week together in Seattle and that we have stayed so connected, even during the pandemic, using Marco Polo!  I hope you know how much you impress me every day with all that you do, for others and for yourself (CLIMBING!)  Hope you are having a wonderful day and I cannot wait to see and talk with you again soon!

Given that the 262nd day of 2021 is a double palindrome (262 and 9/19), I knew it would be a great day.  And, on 9/19/2021, we partnered with the Burkhardt/Maloney Family and hosted the Team Dinner tonight.  The food was great, the girls got to throw axes and make S'mores, and I had great conversation with my co-hosting parents.  I have team dinner hopes tonight.  Hopes that the girls enjoyed themselves, hopes that this team, young as it is, keeps playing hard and experiencing success.  And I hope that the Class of 2022 has a season to remember in their Senior Year.  So much has been lost in the past 18 months, here's hoping that this year all stay safe and healthy, and the team goes far in the playoffs!

 "Mums the Word!" was the saying for the 261st day of 2021 because 9/18/2021 was the date of the Collingswood HS PTA Mum Sale.  And we woke up VERY early (6:30AM) to get to the School to meet the truck to unload the mums.  And then we sold and we sold and we sold and we delivered when we couldn't sell anymore in person.  And we did not sell out as fast as I had expected and hoped.  But I hope that all the folks who supported CHS PTA (THANK YOU ALL) have a wonderful experience as their mums open up and bloom.  And I hope that, next year, selling a little later will have more people thinking about Fall and so we sell out faster (as we typically have done).  And now, exhausted from a long, physical, but fun and fulfilling day, I go to bed with Mums Hopes dancing in my head.  GOODNIGHT!

  On the 260th day of 2021, the OPS PTA held an Ice Cream Social.  Sarah and I have not had a student at OPS since June 2018, but we remain very involved in the PTA there.  So, on 9/17/2021, we were up behind the School, by the Snack Stand, helping with the social and enjoying meeting new people.  And it was great to see soccer training, soccer games, the Cougars lining the football field for tomorrow's games, and the PTA Ice Cream social participants.  It was outdoor, distanced, and safe.  But it was socializing and that was refreshing.  Yes, tonight I have social hopes.  I hope that conditions remain safe enough for these events to continue and that people stay healthy and safe.  We all need the social contacts and, tonight, they abounded.

  There have been a lot of days, in the past few years, that I have been thinking about how many of the world's problems can be solved if people could just exhibit more empathy.  There were a few situations on the 259th day of 2021 where this was in the front of my mind.  SO, on 9/16/2021, I have empathetic hopes.  I hope that I can continue to have empathy to others, and let it be one of my major guiding principles.  But I also hope that others can also be more empathetic, not really to me, but to others.  Those that need help.  Those that are struggling.  Those that have less than.... The world these days has many questions... and, in most cases, empathy is large part of the answer.

  My morning radio staple informed me that 9/15/2021 is National Thank You Day.  So the 258th day of 2021 has been filled with Thank You Hopes.  I always try to be appreciative when people are working with me, or they do something that makes my life better, or if they help me or others.  I hope that we can all focus on being appreciative and thank people, even for the little things.  At the gas station, when someone holds the door at Wawa, when someone writes you back in email with an answer RIGHT when you need it, etc.  It costs very little to be appreciative and I hope my thanks are well received, because a lot of people deserve them from me.

  I surprised myself on the 257th day of 2021.  The scene, on 9/14/2021, was an online team meeting within the larger project.  And, in this meeting, there was a heated conversation about the development (or lack thereof) of an important piece of the project puzzle.  And, for once, I was quiet.  Yes, even though I had a LOT of thoughts and opinions (I know, surprise, surprise, surprise!), I kept quiet.  Until close to the end of the meeting when there was a pause, a kinda awkward pause, and I spoke up, kept calm, put my thoughts out there succinctly (and I think effectively), and then sat back.  I was surprised in my self-restraint and pleased with how effective this communication style, for the moment, was.  Thus, today, I have Quiet Hopes.  No, I have no hopes or even thoughts that suddenly I will become a quiet person.  BUT, I hope I can practice active listening, restraint, and a calm, concise presentation of my thoughts.  It's ...

  9/13/2021 is Think Positive Day!  How do I know?  Chris Carter of Breakfast with the Beatles told me so.  And, on the 256th day of 2021, I did my best to keep thinking positive hopes.  A lot is going on in my life, with my job's project, in the world, etc.  Not bad things, but a lot.  So thinking positive and hoping for the best allows me to attempt to be all of the icons in this image.  Who wouldn't want to be a happy, motivated, enterprising, imaginative, optimistic, determined, strong, encouraged person?  I hope I can be SOME of those things every day and keep thinking positive hopes!

  The 255th day of 2021, 9/12/2021, is National Grandparents Day.  And, as I watched the Marco Polo messages and saw the conversations between my parents and my kids and as Sarah called her parents to talk about all of the week's happenings, I was filled with Grandparent Hopes and also appreciation.  I am so glad that I was able to grow up and have 4 sets of grandparents and really know six of the eight quite well.  I am so glad that my kids have had such support and good interactions with their grandparents.  I feel lucky and blessed and hope that, when my time comes (and it does not need to come ANY time soon), that Sarah and I can be the grandparents that our grandchildren will need and deserve.

  The 254th day of 2021 brought back many memories of the 254th day of 2001.  9/11/2021 was a far better day for me than 9/11/2001.  But I still thought a lot about the people lost on that day, the first responders who ran into the fray while so many others were running from it, and all who were affected by the events of 9-11, directly and also indirectly.  Yes, today I have remembrance hopes.  But I also hope that we can realize that the events after September 11th have not all been good.  I read a posting on FB today that accurately states that we had a chance, as a society, to come together after this tragedy.  And, in many ways, we have been torn apart.  Many rules, laws, processes enacted as a reaction to 9-11 have made life in our country worse, not better.  And that seems to be true for many of our "wars."  The war against Covid, the war on drugs, the political wars that bubble on the airways and social media and then play out in ...

  The 253rd day of 2021 was not difficult for me.  In fact, it was a pretty good day, even though work was a little overwhelming on 9/10/2021.  But today is also World Suicide Prevention Day and I know that not everyone had a good day.  And, if you are one of those people who are struggling, or if you are one of those people who has suffered loss, or is supporting someone who is struggling or even all of the above, I want you to know that you are not alone, you are seen, you are loved, you have worth, you are not a burden.  I am in awe of my sister who does so much to raise funds and awareness to #StopSuicide!  We can all do our part by reaching out, checking on people, making sure they know they are loved, seen, and have worth.  Today, and all days, I am hoping to prevent suicide.  Mental Health Matters and I hope I am doing my part to help those who need help, and to help be the change I want to see.

  The palindromic 252nd day of 2021 was also the opening night of the 2021 NFL Season.  I actually wanted both teams (Brady's Buccs vs. the dreaded Cowboys) to lose, but someone has gottta win.  So I have Football Hopes on 9/9/2021.  I hope the Eagles don't make me as sad as the Phillies have this season (and as they did tonight).  I hope we get to go to all of the Penn Quaker Football home games with the Band.  I of course have the trivial hopes for a good fantasy football season in all of the leagues I am in.  I guess I guess I just hope the season happens in the most "normal" means possible.

The 251st day of 2021 was the last First Day of School (non-college) that any of my kids will ever have.  On 9/8/2021, as Anna left and DROVE HERSELF (and a friend) to school, and as I saw the myriad of First Day pics of my FB friends, many of them with younger kids than I, I reflected on the traditional First Day picture and how this is the first one on our porch without Alexa (she was studying from home last Fall) and how I hope that this last year of High School, for Anna, is as "normal" and wonderful as it can be.  We have all lost a lot in the pandemic, but I think our kids in School (AND their teachers and school staff) have lost the most.  Rituals of youth, ripped away, and the stress of the people who have to keep it all together for them (including the parents who had to manage home school and work at the same time).  My First Day of School Hopes are that we can continue to manage this Delta (and Mu?) variant, that the schools can stay open and effective and...

  I was really tired on the 250th day of 2021, so there was no post.  So I guess, on 9/7/2021, I had silent hopes.  But, in that silence, I think a lot was said.  I was busy, I was tired, I had a lot going on.  I hope that there is less silence in my life.  Not because I want it to be cacophonous, but because, if I have time to reflect here, it means I am not overwhelmed.  May we all have just as much silence as we need, and are able to speak when we should.

I slept in on the 249th day of 2021, not waking up until after 10AM and not coming downstairs until after Noon.  It was glorious to get a lot of sleep.  And then, after a bit, I travelled to Penn's Campus for the Penn Band Board's first in person meeting since early March 2020.  And a great rehearsal on Shoemaker Green.  And, happily, I got in my car, on 9/5/2021, to drive home and..... the van would not start!  So I called AAA and there was a 2+ hour wait.  So I waited.  And, instead of stewing, I laid down on the 1/2 wall in front of the green and I gazed into the sky and.... waited.  Because I decided I would have recharging hopes today.  No anger in waiting, just hopes that AAA would come before too late (came at 10:06 which, while late, was not as late as I had worried).  Hopes that the issue was a battery (it was), not the starter (it wasn't) or the alternator (it might be, tune in later).  Hopes that the extra sleep achieved ...

  9/5/2021 was not that extraordinary of a day.  Until I looked at my FB Memories and saw all of the posts from 9/5 in years gone by.  Seven years ago, on this day, I said goodbye (as a FT staff member) to the Penn School of Nursing.  I have been connected to my Nursing Family since, but, as with a college student away from home, I get homesick every once and a while.  And there were a plethora of First Day of School pictures in my Memories on the 248th day of 2021.  And in those pictures I saw a lot of friends of my kids whose parents I do not get to see as much as I would like to, now that our kids are older.  And, yesterday, I was reminded that, if all goes to plan (and that is a VERY LARGE IF), Fifteen years from now, today, will be my first day of being retired from Penn.  SO, tonight I have September 5th hopes.  I hope that I continue to stay connected with my Nursing colleague family, I hope that the first day of school next week goes ...

  The 247th day of 2021 marked the return of another cherished event.  On 9/4/2021 the Walters extended family gathered again in York, PA, for the Walters Family Labor Day Seafood Picnic!  It was SO GOOD to see everyone, in person, and, since we are all vaccinated it was great to hug!  I have Family Picnic Hopes tonight.  I hope that this picnic is the start of a bunch of Fall get togethers.  I hope we can gather as a family for Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  I hope the planning for Casey and TJ's wedding goes well and we see them early in 2022.  The weather was wonderful, the food was great, the family was fantastic (and, man, the kids are all growing up into fantastic people).  I hope we have many more opportunities to gather together and that nothing comes in our way.

Our project management did a wonderful thing on the 246th day of 2021.  They deemed 9/3/2021 as NO MEETING DAY!  So I could focus on tasks, I was not on Zoom for 8 hours straight.  I could go to the bathroom when I needed to go to the bathroom.  It was good!  I have no meeting hopes.  No, I do not think that we'll never have meetings, but it sure would be nice to have 1 day a month as No Meeting Day!  I hope I can convince the PMO of that!

  I am going to cut right to the chase on the 245th day of 2021.  On 9/2/2021, I have a lot of water related hopes.  Water was on my mind much of the day as we awoke to a 6:30AM text from Penn stating that normal campus operations were suspended for today.  Why?  Well look at this picture.  This is the Vine Street Expressway. I676, through Center City Philadelphia,  It looked like a canal in Venice.  I hope that the water has receded, that nobody was hurt in this flood, and that there is not significant structural damage to this important artery (and other bridges, roads, and infrastructure in the region).  Also, as scheduled, at 11PM, our water service has been temporarily stopped.  There is major construction in our town, replacing ancient water and sewer pipes (I think from circa 1910) and so, we are minorly inconvenienced for this important, proactive work.  I hope the water is restored when I wake up Friday AM and need a shower...

  Another relatively normal thing happened on 9/1/2021, albeit with a few differences.  Nobody was playing any instruments at the Penn Band Intro Rehearsal on the 244th day of 2021.  But we soon will be playing together (we scoping out locations for outdoor rehearsal space).  Tonight I have Penn Band hopes.  I hope that things remain good enough on campus for the Band to continue make music and occasional mirth.  And I hope that the new bandos stick!