The New Year Cometh

Today is the last day of the old year, 2014. It had its bright moments and flashes of sorrow. In many ways it was like so many other years that preceded it.

And then tomorrow, like always, the New Year will come and bring with it fresh experiences, joys, laughter; maybe good health, maybe not. The world around us will spin for better or worse and be a reminder of how insignificant we - you and I as individuals - truly are. I read recently there are more stars than grains of sand in the world. That is some hard math and not for the mathematically challenged who have trouble balancing a checkbook.

Hopefully, we will stay in touch with family and our old friends and make a new one or two. (I anticipate being a Great Grandfather in January, and this fills my heart with joy.) We will visit some new places, look at new movies, listen to new songs, read good books, taste new food and drinks. In short, live the good life we have been blessed with. We will have to be prepared for some bad news and deal with it as best we can, whether it affects us as individuals, family or nation.

Being old in years does not bother me. I am 83 now and thankful for the life lived and anticipated.  I am a bit slower than at the beginning of 2014. I know it and so do some of my family. For years I visited a son in Washington area and always stayed with he and his wife at their four story townhouse. After a trip this year, they recognized the difficulty I was having with the stairs and he put me up in a nearby hotel on my next visit. No talk about getting old, just silent recognition of what long life brings.

My wife Joyce joins me in wishing all who see this message a Happy New Year. We will walk through it together, the good and the tough, and hope you all will do the same.  

Christmas message

Christmas is the time of the year when families and friends gather to celebrate the Birth of Christ,

 give thanks for all the blessings of this life and remember those who have been of service to us this past year. 

It is also a time to ask God's blessing on the men and women who serve our country around the world and especially those who will be separated from love ones at this special time.

And to all who see this blog, "Merry Christmas" and may good things happen to you in 2015.

Part of a festival of lights at Hilton Head.

A child exults with joy.

Have a Merry Christmas!