Happy New Year

 To quote a line from one of Irving Berlin's, holiday songs, "I've been ringing the New Year in.", this week. But, before I did that, I made a few spectacular "old year" memories. It is an understatement, to say that my life has had some deep, dark moments, in the past year, but I have rallied and ended 2022 with a resounding bang! 

Here's a list of just a few of my "end-of-the-year" remembrys.  (Yes, I am aware that is not a word, but it should be!)

#1. A Christmas, that includes small children, is very loud. But, the anticipation and joy of Christmas morning, is well worth the break in my normally quiet existence.

#2. Rediscovering an oldie, but a goodie. For a good time, pull up a video of Groucho Marx singing, "Lydia the Tattooed Lady". And if you can't decipher the lyric, Google it, and get ready to laugh, blush and enjoy. I'm generally not a fan of Ink, but OMGolly, I might request this tune at my funeral!

#3. Discovering that my adult daughter is not the only person, in my life, who can begin to laugh, and in a matter of seconds, be reduced to sobbing. Her brothers and I have witnessed this phenomena, since their childhoods, but now, it seems, her daughter does it too. My thought is, that although it is a little weird to witness, it is an excellent release of stored-up emotion, that most of us couldn't do, if we tried. I think it's very healthy!!!!

#4. Solo Travel is an adventure. Red Caps, for Amtrak, are worth their weight in GOLD. For assistance and information, during busy holiday travel, they can't be beat. Why can't air travel, be improved with such help, or in the least, can they hire folks that speak plainly and slowly, on or off their PA systems? Although, one TSA guy did tell me "you can't be 75." I guess, that was worth the hassle of everything else!

Dear Readers....here's hoping your New Year is the best yet. Stay safe and keep moving forward.

Lord: We thank you for our many, many blessings. Help us to focus, not on ourselves, but others. Help us to enjoy the present and look towards the future.