2010 -2011

Christmas and New Year’s Eve…and the week in between….

A time of endings and of beginnings; a time of counting blessings and of counting losses....of things and people gone from us….of successes and of mistakes.

Sadness and joy…two emotions common the year ‘round, but especially common at this time of year.

And the older we get, the more we have to be grateful for. And the more we have had to part with….the more we have had to regret.

Such are the ways of life.

How to be joyful, to really be able to count blessings as 2010 ends?

Our Church Study Group read into the Rule of St. Benedict this year…and he has some good advice.

The Dear Old Saint advises that the ‘joy chokers’ are such negatives as fear; cynicism; boredom; low self-esteem; taking life too seriously; loss of wonder; greed; guilt; bitterness; and busyness.

Get rid of all or most of the chokers, and the New Year has a chance.

So, think well of yourself. Have faith in the future. Don’t take self too seriously. Be ready to marvel at the world around. Be happy with the blessings counted. Don’t envy what others have. Forgive. And take time to smell those red flowers.

And as midnight approaches on the last day of December, consider the following words written long ago in a Dear Land across The Pond:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

As midnight of the last day of December approaches, we'll take a right good-will draught with several friends. We'll laugh and dance with them and we'll think of and remember those with whom we are not .

Happy New Year to all our Family and Friends.

We will think of you often.

Please think of us.