Happy, Healthy, and Safe - Kathryn Taylor

My daughters discovered a new game many years ago when they were in Middle School. The concept was simple, the rules minimal, and the excitement disproportionate to the experience. Yet it became a ritual they found intriguing and which quickly found its way into our daily routine. Whether we were at home, in the car, or in a waiting room, we began to observe clocks. Wherever we found ourselves, we would pause when we noted the numbers on the digital clock were all identical. We were vigilant as the numbers slipped to 1:11, 2:22, or 5:55. We would brush our fingers to our lips, tap the fingers to the clock, and make a silent wish for something we hoped would come true. It was a simple procedure that was repeated frequently throughout the day. Long after my children were grown and on their own, I found that I continued to play the game. Each time I happen upon the aligned numbers on an accessible screen, I follow the protocol and make my wish. My personal wish never changes, and I offer it up as a general request for all whom I hold dear. I extend my enduring wish to all of you as 2020 begins to recede into the background and 2021 develops a firmer hold. My gently whispered desire for everyone is that you remain happy, healthy, and safe.