It is with a joyful heart that we celebrate the year of 2022. We rejoice in the passing of this year because of what it gave us. A baby was born. She was the child of a mother in Africa. He was the son of a farmer in Guatemala. The elderly grandparents in New York were granted their wish.

We ask that everyone who experienced joy in knowing 2022, share a moment of silence to give thanks for the gifts we were given.

Thoughts and prayers preferred in lieu of flowers.

As little kids, we had no idea what to get Mom for Christmas. While shopping at the five and dime, we saw what appeared to be a really nice plastic yellow butter dish. My brother and I immediately combined our coins, and home we went to wrap it up.

On Christmas Eve, Mom looked so excited when she opened our gift that we decided to get her the same gift the next year and the next. While we rarely had butter in our house, we always had a good supply of yellow butter dishes.

And guess what Mom will be getting on her 97th Christmas this year?

The color aquamarine

A child who asked “will you hold my hand”

Hot chocolate

My 97-year-old mother

The song ‘Unforgettable’

I’m an only child. Today, after I graduate from high school, my billionaire parents and I are boarding a private jet. We will travel around the world for 62 days, stopping in all the places I chose as my graduation present. I’m a bit concerned about that much family time, but when they asked what I wanted, I couldn’t think of a single thing.

It feels like we’ve already travelled half-way around the world on this one flight. I find the lightning piercing through fluffy clouds amazing, although I don’t enjoy the sudden drop in pressure. Suddenly, we are on a downward spiral without time to even think of what might happen next.

I’m no longer an only child. I’m an orphan. Why did I have to survive that awful wreck and lose both of my parents? Uncle Joe came quickly to be with me, but I never cared for my dad’s brother. Of course, he didn’t understand when I said, “I will never go home again.”

Now I have a billion dollars in my name. Nowhere I really want to go, and nowhere I want to be. I remember hearing about some very expensive trips going to the moon. I can definitely afford that. Wonder what they will do when I get there and refuse to go home?

The words of Mother Teresa speak volumes about the amazing grace I see here each day.

"I don't claim anything of the work. It's hard work. I'm like a little pencil in His hand. That's all. He does the thinking. He does the writing. The pencil has nothing to do with it. The pencil has only to be allowed to be used."

To the person who smiled at my mother when I wasn’t around

To janitors

To the child sharing the favorite part of his lunch with a shy girl

To neighbors who pick up trash in the road

To my son who reminded me that we could never replace his sister

To puppies waiting at the door for you to come home

To people who anonymously scatter kindness wherever they go

To the millions of folks who may never have been thanked

Thank You!

When I walked into school today for my first day on the job, I never imagined the feeling I would have when I headed home this afternoon. After learning where the janitorial supplies were kept, I swept the floors and cleaned the bathrooms just like I did on my previous job.

Around lunchtime, I hear on the loudspeaker that every teacher and staff member is to report to the main office before leaving school today. I briefly question if that would include me since I had only been there for ten hours, but I want to be sure I am following all orders.

I can't ever remember receiving a gift when it was not my birthday or Christmas. The office assistant said that a volunteer brought in thank you gift bags for every member of the staff and that included me. As I placed the "You are appreciated" note on my refrigerator and savored a couple of high-end chocolates later that night, I knew I had the best job in the world.