It’s common to make resolutions for the new year, and I have a few of those. But I also have some New Year’s wishes for everyone who happens to follow this space.

Fresh air

More civility, less hostility

Less authority, more humility

A safe return to hugs, handshakes, big-screen movies, and dinners out

More inspiration than we know what to do with

Purring cats

Walks and picnics in the park

Road trips

Items checked off our bucket list

Holidays spent safely with loved ones

Less hero worship and more real heroes

Virus-free rock concerts and sporting events

Fewer conspiracy theories and more scientific theories

Police reform, not police brutality

Scented candles

Words of encouragement

History revived, not revised

Better pay for teachers

Compassion, not condemnation

More books

More copy editors (I can dream)

Fewer talking heads

Criticism that’s constructive, not condescending

Credibility

Independent thought, not blind loyalty

Less corruption in government (again, I can dream)

More wine and less whining

More roses and fewer posers

Cedar and birch, oak and fir and redwood, from saplings to sequoias… trees!

Progress

Clean water

Genuine happiness

Music from our favorite bands

Encouragement

Deep conversations and meaningful connections

Good deeds

Fresh starts and new beginnings

That other door opening

Best feet put forward

Social media sites that actually works for users

A few billy goats gruff to scare away the trolls

Masks

Sanity in the White House

Old friends reunited

New friends made

Endangered species thriving

The middle class surviving

Fewer animals in shelters, and more in happy homes

Comedies that make us laugh without a laugh track (thank you, Schitt’s Creek)

Horror movies without cliches

Logic

Less hurt, more healing

Empty ICU beds

On-time mail delivery

More students, fewer loans

Clean energy

More women in office — and corner offices

Fewer scapegoats, more solutions

A cure for cancer

The great American novel

Friendly greetings

Swiss cheese

French bread

Italian sausage

Free-range chickens

Free-thinking Americans

More listening, less pontificating, and far more understanding

Salads with blue cheese crumbles

Geography lessons

Empathy

Gratefulness

Open arms, not closed minds

Innocence, not ignorance

The courage to be different, or just to be ourselves... or maybe both

Personal growth

Objectivity

Sincere apologies and second chances

Democracy

Human rights

Letting go and letting good things happen

Perseverance

Hard work and soft hearts

Faith that isn’t blind, hearts that aren’t deaf, and hope that isn’t silent

Wisdom passed down over time, and time spent wisely

Gifts given thoughtfully and with love

Opinions offered without strings, and received without burden

Less stress, more relief

Distant train whistles, not honking horns

Sighs of wonder, not resignation

Sweet dreams and sound sleep

Fairytales with happy endings

Clarity

Innovation

Discovery

Adventure

Gentle rains and tender kisses

Fluffy clouds floating through clear blue skies

Evergreen trees and evergreen hopes

Pine forests... that don’t burn down

Tempers that don’t burn hot

A hoot owl’s cry and a songbird’s serenade

Seashells bestowed by crashing waves on clean, deserted beaches

Palm trees waving in a gentle breeze

Desert sunsets

White Christmases

Happy holidays

Birthday smiles

Laughter

Love

Happy New Year to all my readers and everyone else on this spinning globe we share. May it be everything 2020 wasn’t, and more than we even imagine 2021 can be.