year end 2013

So there’s all this focus on annual acknowledgements… the man of the year, woman of the year, person of the year, sportsman of the year, singer of the year, celebrity of the year, year in review, year of yada yada yada…  Prior then to the onset of 2014 and the opportunity to start anew, allow me to add my own year end musings and acknowledgements…

 

First of all, if the Intramuralist was to acknowledge any one person for superlative notoriety, let me tell you who it would not be.  While I have tremendous respect for each of them, it would not be either Peyton Manning or the Pope (not that Sports Illustrated or Time made unwarranted selections).  I simply believe that Peyton’s societal influence is limited, and the extent of the Pope’s influence will be more evident over the course of his tenure than in the mere, initial 9 months of his papacy.

 

It would not be Edward Snowden, the NSA leaker who seemed to be a “runner up” on many year end lists.  I still can’t discern if Snowden is a hero or hoodlum — or perhaps a little of both.  Sorry, but the Intramuralist simply does not believe in paying attention to those who may not deserve the attention.

 

It would not be any politician.  It would not be Pres. Obama, who has not been the honest, uniting president he promised us he would be.  It would also not be any of his political counterparts, for whom so many, honesty is also in question.  Sorry, but if you can’t be honest, you can’t be my person or sportsman or whatever of the year.

 

I suppose as far as people are concerned, the Intramuralist is incapable of making a selection this year.  The reality is that each candidate would pale in comparison to one of my siblings, who currently, totally, amazingly inspires and spurs me on.  None of the above are capable of coming close.  It makes me wonder… makes me wonder who in each of our lives truly spurs us on.

 

I think then, too, of the events of the year gone past… the tragedy in Boston, Syria, and in Nairobi’s Westgate Mall… the downfall of the Obamacare rollout, Miley Cyrus, and our relationship with Russia… the controversy in federal surveillance, NFL officiating, and George Zimmerman’s acquittal… the attraction to zombies, hashtags, and the Harlem Shake… the dominance of Alabama football, the Miami Heat, and the brothers Harbaugh… the fascination with “Duck Dynasty,” selfies, and William and Kate’s new kid… the introduction of Elizabeth Warren, Ted Cruz, and bearded Boston baseball players… the loss of Paul Walker, James Gandolfini, and Nelson Mandela… not to mention Margaret Thatcher, Peter O’Toole, and Tom Clancy.

 

It’s easy to sometimes think the routine events of our days are so dramatic… so intense and burdensome… allowing personal passion to blind us to the sobering significance of some of the events listed above.  Maybe in the year to come we’ll be better at that — better at not being blinded by the things of lesser importance… then again, maybe not.

 

And so we say goodbye to 2013 not with a whimper or bang but with honest reflection.  Consistent with our mantra, we look both back and forward with a desire to dialogue, a willingness to tackle the tough subjects, and a commitment to gird all conversation with respect.

 

While we start anew in 2014 — with new musings, acknowledgements, perspective, and reflection — thanks for joining us in the year now passed.  It was a blessed and banner year.

 

Respectfully… always…

AR