Farewell 2016….

2016 brought a generation to its knees.

To those of us who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s – our memories are intertwined with Prince, David Bowie, Glenn Fry, Maurice White and George Michael. They wrote the soundtrack to our youth. We remember our first slow dance (Careless Whisper) or getting ready for 1999 with Prince. These are just some of the great artists that have left us this year, taking with them our uncomplicated, childlike memories and reminding us that nothing lasts forever.

2016 bid farewell to Richard Adams who wrote Watership Down, a novel I read at 12 years old. A tale about rabbits (of all things) fighting for their home with unimaginable courage. We also lost Harper Lee whose book ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ brought racial injustice and class to generations of people who grew up thinking it was normal for there to be different standards for white and black.

We said goodbye to John Glen, Muhammed Ali, Carrie Fisher and hello to Aleppo and Brexit. The worst of our humanity emerged with the US election pitting family members against each other, black against white and left against right.

Watership Down began with the words “the primroses were over” and ended with “the first primroses were starting to bloom”. Between the first and last sentence lay a perilous journey that required valor and character, but it ended with hope and renewal. As we look to 2017, we must ask ourselves – what’s next?

We can live in the shadow of 2016 or wipe the slate clean. For every hero that dies – another rises to fill the void. You don’t need to wear a cape, be a politician or a priest. With every action, make this world one you will be proud to give to your kids.