HAPPY NEW YEAR!
As we come to the end of this decade, I can’t help but look back on the past ten years. They flew by so quickly. It seems like only yesterday that it was 1999, and many were afraid of the world coming to an end because computers wouldn’t recognize the new century. I remember taking time on January 31, 1999, to fill several jugs of water, just in case.
As for the past ten years, I lost a business that I thought I would be able to retire from, and experienced what it is like to go through financial ruin. I became a working actor, and my wife has become the main bread winner in our home, leading us back to financial stability. She has done well, building on her experience at “Gordman’s”, to become a manager at a “Burlington Coat Factory”, store in our area. Both my boys are now married, and I have become a grandpa; twice. I weigh about the same as I did in 1999. I achieved half my educational goal by receiving an "Associate of Arts", degree, with a 3.9 GPA. I have noticed, however, that I am ten years older.
A lot has changed in our world. Life has become much scarier, and our country has sacrificed some of its freedom. We experienced another “Pearl Harbor”, yet I wonder if we learned any lessons from it. Our country is experiencing distress morally, financially, politically, socially, and about every other “ly”, you can think of.
It would be easy to just barricade myself in my house and attempt to separate myself from the “enemy”, that exists outside, but this is not what I will do. I will again approach the future with hope that I can make a difference, and make things better; not only for myself, but for the world around me. I need to pick myself up off the mat physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc., and fight harder.
I, we, need to do what Idaho did yesterday in the “Humanitarian Bowl”. With only 4 seconds left, and after scoring a touchdown to bring the score to 42 to 41 Bowling Green, they elected to go for a two point win, instead of a one point tie. They took the gamble and won the game, 43 to 42. That is heroic. That is what we all need to do in the coming days. We all need to become heroes. I believe we can.
Happy New Year, everyone. I wish everyone of you all the best as you meet the future head on.
As for the past ten years, I lost a business that I thought I would be able to retire from, and experienced what it is like to go through financial ruin. I became a working actor, and my wife has become the main bread winner in our home, leading us back to financial stability. She has done well, building on her experience at “Gordman’s”, to become a manager at a “Burlington Coat Factory”, store in our area. Both my boys are now married, and I have become a grandpa; twice. I weigh about the same as I did in 1999. I achieved half my educational goal by receiving an "Associate of Arts", degree, with a 3.9 GPA. I have noticed, however, that I am ten years older.
A lot has changed in our world. Life has become much scarier, and our country has sacrificed some of its freedom. We experienced another “Pearl Harbor”, yet I wonder if we learned any lessons from it. Our country is experiencing distress morally, financially, politically, socially, and about every other “ly”, you can think of.
It would be easy to just barricade myself in my house and attempt to separate myself from the “enemy”, that exists outside, but this is not what I will do. I will again approach the future with hope that I can make a difference, and make things better; not only for myself, but for the world around me. I need to pick myself up off the mat physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc., and fight harder.
I, we, need to do what Idaho did yesterday in the “Humanitarian Bowl”. With only 4 seconds left, and after scoring a touchdown to bring the score to 42 to 41 Bowling Green, they elected to go for a two point win, instead of a one point tie. They took the gamble and won the game, 43 to 42. That is heroic. That is what we all need to do in the coming days. We all need to become heroes. I believe we can.
Happy New Year, everyone. I wish everyone of you all the best as you meet the future head on.