In 1992, Queen Elizabeth gave a speech in honor of the 40th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. In reviewing her entire reign, she focused in particular on the current year. For 1992 was not very kind to the Queen. From marital troubles among her children, to the publication of Princess Diana's tell-all autobiography, to a major fire in Windsor Castle, Elizabeth borrowed a Latin phrase and termed her year "annus horribilis"
Thankfully, though I have no marital troubles, no in-laws writing juicy tomes, and certainly no castles to burn down, I can sympathize with the Queen's feelings that there are such things as a horrible year. "Between employment positions" as I currently am, with all the resultant financial anxieties, and with the recent unexpected passing of my father, I feel a certain kinship with her feelings, if not exactly with her. In fact, a friend of mine hearing of my recent plight first shared the Queen's phrase with me and I found myself liking the sound (while not the experience), of it all.
Despite these troublesome times for myself and my family, there is always a certain sense we all have that things can only get better. After all, if Charles can finally wed Camilla, and all the hoopla and gossip can subside around the royal family (albeit with Diana's untimely passing), and if Windsor Castle can rise again from the ashes, there is probably a little bit of hope out there for all of us.
Just as I appreciated my friend's suggestion that this was my annus horribilis, so too, am I grateful for his leading me to discover the opposite phrase "annus mirabilis" - year of wonders. Personally, we are all looking forward to a little less of the horrible, and a lot more of the wonders . . .
