Happy New Year!!

Charles and I wish you all the best of blessings in the coming year, and hope the memories of the past year bring wisdom, smiles and tenderness of spirit as you recall the many paths and lessons you took part in.

We spent a lovely evening at home last night, watching mysteries and dramas, eating fun foods, laughing and sharing recollections. A call to my parents was made to wish them the best of the New Year, and laughter and smiles were shared there too. Near midnight we entered into prayer, with the Great Litany, the Watch Night prayers and Compline, and it truly was the best way to usher in the New Year.

Then to begin today with listening to holy music blessing the name of the Lord....tis good indeed, for the mind, heart and soul.

We're having a lazy day around here. It's cold and brisk outside, so with the fire going, we're listening to music, conversing and enjoying the peace of the day. I pray that the coming year is filled with many such peaceful days. A turkey tenderloin is soon to be cooking for dinner, and I think I'll shall make my first cup of tea of the near year soon>

My friends, this year will bring joy and sadness to us all, in some form or another. We will all be challenged, and all be uplifted...though to what measure will be different for us all. But no one gets through a year without trials, and even in a rough year (and we've all had them, haven't we?) there are moments of joy and peace to be found. Let us all try and be gracious, kind and loving to one another....remembering we're all partaking of this journey together, and we all need help at one or more points in time.

I think it is good to start the year by contemplating one's blessings; gratitude always puts the year in proper perspective. We are all very blessed, especially when one considers the plights of refugees around the world; or when one ponders the sad fact that someone dies every 3 seconds from a poverty related condition. How blessed we are, even with our struggles. And how much good we can do if we extend our blessings and goodwill unto others.

In my contemplation of my personal blessings, of God, of family, riches of home, hearth and heart, I cannot help but be grateful for the blessings that are you, my friends. You bring me new insights, laughter, challenging thoughts, and endless comfort. You make my journey of this life all the better, and you make my life the brighter.

So thank you, and Happy New Year again, my friends.