Short tales of what IJ readers look forward to
IJ readers share tales of what they’re looking forward to in new year
A new year is upon us and for many, that traditionally has meant a “new you.”
But the pandemic this past year has challenged us in ways we could not have predicted, and many of us are just trying to make sense of things. Some may have realized they’re stronger than they thought they were, others may have realized they need to make changes.
What about you? How has the past year changed you, for better or worse?
For January, please share with the IJ a six-word story about how the pandemic has changed you. Please make it a story with a beginning, middle and end, and not just six adjectives — make us laugh or cry or at the very least feel something.
If you want your story to run in the IJ, please:
• Write “Six-word story” in the subject line
• Send one story. Just one
• Include your full name and Marin town in the body of the email (not in the subject line)
• Write your short story in the body of the email (not in the subject line or in an attachment) Use proper punctuation (check the dictionary, please)
• Use correct spelling (check the dictionary, please)
Send your six-word story to lifestyles@marinij.com by Jan. 15 with “Six-Word Story” in the subject line. Then look for your story in the Jan. 26 lifestyles section and online.
Last month the IJ asked readers to reflect on what they’re looking forward to in the new year. Here’s what they had to say.
Normal seems desirable; is it really? — Lyn Gladstone, San Rafael
I wish politics were boring again. — John Berg, Fairfax
Society based on more than self. — Madeline Kellner, Novato
Need you ask? Just about everything. — Denize Springer, Mill Valley
Permanent silence from pouting vainglorious bloviator. — Katherine Ware, Belvedere
Finding joy when it’s least expected. — Laura Miller, Novato
Let’s do it; love conquers all. — Bonnie Austin Tiburon
Hope for nation’s health and unity. — Kathy Barrass, San Rafael
Maskless gatherings with
family, friends, neighbors. — Francine Goodman,
Mill Valley
Positive progress in all human matters. — Barbara Tarasoff, Novato
Finally, a day without the pandemic. — David Leipsic, San Rafael
Shedding the Rip Van Winkle look. — Sue Beittel, San Rafael
I want to hug my grandparents. — Owen Thomas Bell, San Anselmo
Hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs, more hugs. — Madison Hunt Horning, Stinson Beach
Never speak of 2020 ever again. — Kendall Johnson, Larkspur
Twinkling eyes, embracing smiles, engaging conversations. — David Horning, Stinson Beach
No Trump, Biden unifying, families gathering. — Jeff Lockwood, Mill Valley
New home, new neighborhood. Farewell Marin. — Mare Brixie, San Rafael
Two shots, life back to normal. — CS Smith, San Rafael
Hugging my son, grandson, sister, friends. — Anne Latta, San Rafael
Seeing smiles, feeling hugs, connecting again. — Harriot Manley, San Rafael
Recognizing people by not wearing masks. — Cece Jonsen Novato
Family, friends remain in my life. — Sharon Eide, Novato
Returning to hugs, unmasked smiles, celebrating. — Edith Stover, San Rafael
“Home?” “Assuredly.” “Still?” “Grumble.” “2021?” “Soon!” — Conor Granahan, Corte Madera
Everybody vaccinated; mother’s 105th birthday cake. — Maura Harvey, San Rafael
Actors and musicians on stage everywhere. — Josef Aukee, Sausalito
All be well in the world. — Karin Granados, San RafaelL
ife transforming in magnificent ways. — Dick Young, Greenbrae
Ability to enjoy friends and family. — Gerrie Young, Greenbrae
Going to Cleveland and hugging everyone. — Ruby Unger, Mill Valley
Sharing hugs, meals, live theater, sharing. — Linda Howerton-Pritchett, San Rafael
2021, dawn of a new day. — Jerry Schmitz, Novato
Good government, no virus, compassion, empathy. — Clint Kellner, Novato
Smiling, hugging, sitting side by side. — Pilar Toledo, San Rafael
Health, harmony, hope Trump disappears forever. — Diane Cokely San Anselmo
Hosting family and friends at home. — Lisa Pavlovsky, San Rafael
Family love, togetherness, gratitude — normal return. — Patricia C. Beigel, San Rafael
Get new hip, no more pain. — Pam Berkon, Novato
A world without the presidential pestilence. — Rob Franco, San Anselmo
Laugh out loud with other people. — Bob Casey, Greenbrae
No online college courses next year. — Christina Soares, San Rafael
Drinking in the Old Western Saloon. — John C. Sakellar, Point Reyes Station
Continued bright, bubbly, cheery Zoom events. — Nancy Greenfield, Larkspur
Seeing grandkids, hugs, snuggles, kisses, more. — Wendy Hunt, Stinson Beach
COVID-19 ending. An outing for oysters. — Sam Fleeger, Marin City
Reconfiguration of our planet Earth, wow. — Madeleine Devlin, San Rafael
Bring on the music and dance. — Rose Magri, San Rafael
New administration faces reality, heals divisions. — Elliott Kolker, Stinson Beach
Sharing hope by eliminating deadly virus. — Barbara O’Brien, San Anselmo
Intellectual discourse with civility, not rancor. — Ray Lent, San Rafael
American Bach Soloists at St. Stephens. — Philip Hicks, San Anselmo Wearing humongous hat at daughter’s wedding. — Susan Savage, Novato
Biden in office, Trump in jail. — Karla Brown, San Rafael
Anticipating Jan. 20. Truth, compassion reappearing. — Susan Mines, Terra Linda
Less stress. More hugs. Enjoy travel. — Cristy Pollak, Novato
No more babbling incoherent president. — Carolyn Golden, Fairfax
Patiently waiting for spring to arrive. — Susan Bishop Chukerman, Novato
New days, new ways, we cope. — Cathy Fox, Strawberry
Rain, family, hugs, travel, COVID controlled. — Donna Cameron, Larkspur
Granddaughters, three. Laughing, playing together again. — Jeff Brusati, San Rafael
Family, love, Passover matzo ball soup. — Heidi Mayer, Novato
Seeing smiles, giving and receiving hugs. — Melinda Booth, Mill Valley
Really Vicki? Six words aren’t enough. — Sarah Weller Leipsic, San Rafael
Vaccine coming, bringing family, friends, freedom. — Susan Lenzi, Corte Madera
Seeing smiling faces without any masks. — Dave Lenzi, Corte Madera
Steph Curry steps back, sinks three. — Ron Skellenger, San Anselmo Was Biden’s senate Intern; Go, Joe. — Jenny Wood Mill Valley
Donald Trump leaving the White House. — William Devlin, Mill Valley
First, we vaccinate, then group hug. — Rosine Reynolds, Larkspur
An authorized vaccine for my birthday? — Kenneth W. Philo, San Rafael
Un-Trumping the nation; vaccinating the world. — Hank Simmonds, Kentfield
I hope to hug my grandkids. — Christopher G. Costin, Corte Madera
We laugh hear t i ly, breathe deeply, fearlessly. — Cliff Gallant, Larkspur
Are you kidding? It’s so obvious. — John D. Schneider, San Rafael
Governments select effective climate change solutions. — Karen Arnold, San Rafael
Time with grandbabies, holding them tight. — Karen Zizzo Kempf, Novato
Watching how the great mystery unfolds. — Lynn Ireland, San Rafael
Ho, ho and away we go. — Rick Schooley, San Rafael
Trump and cronies brought to justice. — Norm Levin, San Rafael
New president. COVID? Bye, bye. Dancing. — Gailya Magdalena, Lucas Valley
Give me live music, dancing, hugs. — Davi Gainer, Mill Valley
Organizing a ban leaf blowing movement. — Mary Geving, Woodacre I will get a healing massage. — Brita Ostrom, Fairfax
Healthy family celebrating my 70th year. — Joan Watson, Mill Valley
Jump on Harley, ride to lunch. — Mike Popovich, Larkspur
Are you kidding? Isn’t it obvious? — John D. Schneider, San Rafael
To dine in restaurants with friends. — Donna Borok-Moss, San Rafael
No more Trump, no more Trump. — Karla Brown, San Rafael
Celebrating mom’s 100th birthday in May. — Margarida da Silva, Novato
Vaccine works flawlessly, is delivered quickly. — Lee Derin, San Rafael
Deadlock ends and checks arrive quickly. — Brenda Derin, San Rafael
A vaccine that works. That’s all. — Frank Ridley, San Rafael
Hopefully the vaccine is available promptly. — Pamela Lunstead, Novato
Never hearing or seeing Trump again. — Judy Johnson, Novato
Tax evasion defense headed by Giuliani. — David Curtis, Novato
The end of the Trump nightmare. — Irene Tabet, Mill Valley
The ultimate finally; Trump pardons himself. — Ron Duben, Lucas Valley
High Sierra Camps, already postponed twice. —
Kay Noguchi, Terra Linda
“Fasten seat belts;” visiting our children. — Howard Rachelson, San Rafael
Listening more, advance to new horizons. — David Kunhardt, Corte Madera Putting 2020 in the rearview mirror. — Eric Wilcox, Kentfield
Seeing smiling faces. Trusting experienced leadership. — Barbara Rowe, Mill Valley
Fresh start, and healthy new year. — Stacy Burroughs, San Anselmo
President who is smart and honest. — Rosalind Gardner, Greenbrae
Got puppy; oh no, what now? — Mark Cishey, Corte Madera
Rain falls gently on spring flowers. — Kerstin Nash, Mill Valley
Playing bridge with friends at Goldenaires. — William Nicholson, Ross
No more Trump; what a relief! — Claire Zurack, San Rafael
Three missed grandkids: hug, hug, hug. — Richard Schneider, San Rafael
Buy ticket. Check online. Win lottery. — Tracie Lirette, Novato
Anticipation, exaltation, confidence, pride restored; hallelujah. — Michael C. Vogel, Mill Valley
Finally meet my beautiful baby granddaughters. — Jim Koger, San Rafael
Hoping to hug my grandchildren again. — Jodie Costello, Larkspur
After all, it was about me. — Doug Chambers, San Rafael
Accessible affordable health care for all. — Rev. George McLaird, Mill Valley I need to return to Venice. — Ellen Loring, San Rafael
Hugs, and playing Spite and Malice.— Mary Lou Hayward, Novato
Mask-free smiles in our hospital’s halls. — Susan Scarth, San Rafael
Toward a brighter, more equitable future. — Dart Cherk, Mill Valley.