ring in the new
Jan 01 2006 12:00 AM filed in: life in
general
New Year's
Eve is always a time of reflection for me...and upon
reflection I have to say that 2005 was a pretty
shitty year. In fact, it was a completely shitty
year; it started off shitty, and it didn't get any
less shitty as it went along.
At the end of the day, though, I know I am truly fortunate. At Christmas I saw a billboard at a roadside stand that read: "No man is a failure who has friends" - the inscription Clarence leaves for George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life. At the end of that film, after he's been to hell and back, George's life is changed by the love of his friends - and he realizes the many ways his love for them has changed theirs, too.
I am fortunate to have a life enriched by the love of my friends, and I am equally fortunate to be able to enrich their lives. In difficult times, it's easy to take more than you give from the people who support you, and this year I've taken far more than I've been able to give. I trust that those who've given me so much care and support this year know how much it's appreciated, and the best I can give in return is my most heartfelt good wishes for the coming year:
To those who have lost loved ones, I wish you peace, that time may dull the sharp edge of pain and your precious memories bring more comfort with each day that passes.
To those overcoming obstacles on the road to parenthood, I wish you joy in the realization of your heart's desire.
To those anticipating a new arrival, I wish you health and happiness and love, and joy in sharing life's wonders with your children.
To those who have grappled with difficult decisions, I wish you closure, that you may move forward with confidence.
To those who have faced conflict with those you love, I wish you resolution, that you may be able to restore harmony.
To those who have known illness, I wish you health.
To those who have suffered cruelty at the hands of others, I wish you strength and kindness.
To those who have plumbed the depths of despair, I wish you hope.
To those who have suffered hardship, I wish you relief.
To those who have propped me up, I wish you spirits so buoyant they never need lifting - but if ever they do, I wish I may be a source of support to you.
To those who have known nothing but joy in the past year, I wish you more of the same in the coming year.
At midnight I'll raise a glass to you all in love and thanks, with wishes for nothing but good things in 2006.
At the end of the day, though, I know I am truly fortunate. At Christmas I saw a billboard at a roadside stand that read: "No man is a failure who has friends" - the inscription Clarence leaves for George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life. At the end of that film, after he's been to hell and back, George's life is changed by the love of his friends - and he realizes the many ways his love for them has changed theirs, too.
I am fortunate to have a life enriched by the love of my friends, and I am equally fortunate to be able to enrich their lives. In difficult times, it's easy to take more than you give from the people who support you, and this year I've taken far more than I've been able to give. I trust that those who've given me so much care and support this year know how much it's appreciated, and the best I can give in return is my most heartfelt good wishes for the coming year:
To those who have lost loved ones, I wish you peace, that time may dull the sharp edge of pain and your precious memories bring more comfort with each day that passes.
To those overcoming obstacles on the road to parenthood, I wish you joy in the realization of your heart's desire.
To those anticipating a new arrival, I wish you health and happiness and love, and joy in sharing life's wonders with your children.
To those who have grappled with difficult decisions, I wish you closure, that you may move forward with confidence.
To those who have faced conflict with those you love, I wish you resolution, that you may be able to restore harmony.
To those who have known illness, I wish you health.
To those who have suffered cruelty at the hands of others, I wish you strength and kindness.
To those who have plumbed the depths of despair, I wish you hope.
To those who have suffered hardship, I wish you relief.
To those who have propped me up, I wish you spirits so buoyant they never need lifting - but if ever they do, I wish I may be a source of support to you.
To those who have known nothing but joy in the past year, I wish you more of the same in the coming year.
At midnight I'll raise a glass to you all in love and thanks, with wishes for nothing but good things in 2006.
Bookmark: ...