by “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.
A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”
– William E. Vaughan
This made me laugh out loud! It’s definitely a truth this time of year (IF we can still stay awake until midnight).
365 days is a lot of time for stuff to happen. If you’ve had nothing but joy this year, without sadness or worry, you’re part of a lucky few, I think.
Most of us have had a mix – which is just life. A jumble of joys and sorrows.
And unfortunately, too many have had a year of loss and struggle and fear.
As an organization, the WBCC has had a mix. A tough one to be sure – as you may recall from my September blog. COVID hurt us financially and the Wisconsin legislature adjourned in early March without taking up the breast density bill we were supporting. But we’ve had good days too. Donors who’ve stepped up to help us stay afloat. Supporters holding small, but important, fundraisers for our benefit. Survivor artists launching “Survivor Expressions”, our new off-shoot of Rare Chair Affair, celebrating life after – and even during – breast cancer. We’ve welcomed new volunteers to our Board, Policy and Fundraising committees.
As grateful as we are for all of this, we’re still “skating on thin ice”, as my mom used to say. If you’ve stepped up, we thank you. If you’ve considered doing something to help us advance our mission but haven’t acted on it yet – please reach out to one of us to explore how you can help us, within the limits of your time and resources. We still need you.
I will be an optimist. I know there is hard work to be done in the new year, but no one ever said that’s a bad thing! There are rewards to be had – both personally and organizationally. I’ll try hard to stay awake until midnight to see the new year in.
Wherever you find yourself as you greet 2023, we hope you can count more blessings than sorrows in the new year. We hope you have meaningful work, whether there’s a paycheck attached to it, or the simple satisfaction of volunteer work. We wish you and your families health and happiness. Happy New Year!