New Year's Eve

It's the end of the year 2008. What a year it's been.

I've spent exactly six months of it on Active Duty in the United States Army. Had you predicted this for me as few as four years ago, I'd have told you something not very nice, I suspect.

As I reflect upon these past six months, I feel deep gratitude. I'm grateful for all the love and support from my family and friends, and from people I don't even know at places like Adventure Christian Church, Zion Lutheran Church, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Adopt-A-Chaplain, etc. Many thanks to everyone at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Cyprian. Mille grazie to the VFW posts who have sent goodies for my Soldiers and DoD civilians. Vielen Dank to Apryll N and Allison S and Elaine W and Angela L-R and Catherine & Michael and Casey & Brenda and Mama & Papa B and Victor L and Smith Middle School and Susan A and Helen M and Loretta & Tim and Anna J and Quota of MB.

Special thanks to my parents, Tom & Nancy, for all the fresh-baked bread, and yum-yums, and home-made rhubarb conserve (mmmmm!), and all the love these goodies represent.

I'm sure I've neglected to mention many people who deserve thanks. This is purely an indication of my incipient senile dementia, and in no wise a slight of any kind.

God willing, this will be my 30th New Years Eve in a row that I've been sober. Hooray for the Higher Power!!

May your New Year's Eve be safe and sane.

Blessings and peace to one and all on this Sixth Day of Christmas,


Fr. Tim, SJ