Watchnight

Tonight is New Year's Eve, the seventh Day of Christmas.

Tonight is marked by Watchnight.  Late night services for Christians to review the year that has passed and make confession, and then prepare for the year ahead through prayer and resolutions.  For many, this also carries a liberation component.  Being set free.  In remembrance of the African American congregants gathering December 31, 1862, expectantly waiting confirmation of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.

That all seems particularly appropriate to reflect on this season, as 2019 has been a year of milestones and great change.  Tenth anniversary.  Great trips to Disney World, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.  My first cruise.  And also getting fired.  Jamie taking a hiatus from teaching.  Confession.  Putting a lot of stuff in storage and moving in with the Hamricks, while we wait on knowing where exactly we'll need to be.  Working temporary jobs in the interim.

It has been a marvelous time in seeing God's faithfulness, his provision, and his care.

It has also been a frustrating and challenging time in the waiting.  In the unknown.

And yet, it feels again like we are on the precipice of change once again.  That in this new year, direction may finally settle.  To see the potential for light at the end of the tunnel.

To look expectantly ahead.

If I've learned one thing through this year, it is that the Lord has a plan, the Lord will provide.  I pray not to lose sight of this in the future.  I don't see it happening in this coming year, but I pray it is not something I forget over time.

As we all start to prepare for countdowns, for closure, for change, for the ringing out of the old and in with the new, I pray you all have a safe and wonderful night.  I pray you have time to reflect on what you've been brought through, and to recognize if nothing else, how you survived.  To recognize those that have pulled you through or been right there beside you.

To those who have continued to read through this second year of posts, thank you.  It means more than you can imagine.

To all, have a great night!  May it be safe and blessed and may your transition into this new year, into the new bring everything.  Highs and lows, joy and tears.  But through it all, may it bring love, kindness, generosity, and grace.

Hanukkah

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הַעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה׃

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvoth, commanding us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.

Last night was the first night of Hanukkah.  The first candle was lit, the three blessings above were offered.  The celebration will last for eight days and nights, from the evening of December 22 through the evening of December 30.

It is, ultimately, a time of remembrance, a celebration of God's provision.  In a time when there was no judge, no prophet, no word from God, He was still at work.  He was still performing miracles, protecting His people.  To make a single day's supply of oil last for eight days.  

It's a reminder that God is always at work.  Even when He is silent, even when He seems far away, God is still working.  God still cares for His people.

I've felt that this year.  I have both heard God and felt that I was going unheard.  And through it all, there have been reminders.  Reasons to remember.  To celebrate.  

We're lighting the lights this year primarily because Avalyn is studying Israel this month.  Each month, she learns about a different country and its culture.  Through media, through food, through study.  October was Japan.  November was France.  January will be China.  Since she is studying Israel, we thought celebrating Hanukkah would be an appropriate way to show her a bit of the culture of Israel. 

I feel I'm celebrating this year because I have a greater appreciation for the festival - our God provides.  Jehovah Jireh.

To my Jewish friends and all who are celebrating, Happy Hanukkah!  May it be a blessed time for you and yours.

צ'ג אורים סמח

For those who would like a bit more background information, I've included the passages on Hanukkah from the books of the Maccabees and the Megillat Antiochus. The first passage relates to a reflection on Nehemiah's rededication of the temple and its own miracle. The second passage, on Judah Maccabee's rededication of the temple and the dedication of the festival. The final passage contains the story of the oil.

"Since on the twenty-fifth day of Chislev we shall celebrate the purification of the temple, we thought it necessary to notify you, in order that you also may celebrate the festival of booths and the festival of the fire given when Nehemiah, who built the temple and the altar, offered sacrifices.

For when our ancestors were being led captive to Persia, the pious priests of that time took some of the fire of the altar and secretly hid it in the hollow of a dry cistern, where they took such precautions that the place was unknown to anyone. But after many years had passed, when it pleased God, Nehemiah, having been commissioned by the king of Persia, sent the descendants of the priests who had hidden the fire to get it. And when they reported to us that they had not found fire but only a thick liquid, he ordered them to dip it out and bring it. When the materials for the sacrifices were presented, Nehemiah ordered the priests to sprinkle the liquid on the wood and on the things laid upon it. When this had been done and some time had passed, and when the sun, which had been clouded over, shone out, a great fire blazed up, so that all marveled. And while the sacrifice was being consumed, the priests offered prayer—the priests and everyone. Jonathan led, and the rest responded, as did Nehemiah. The prayer was to this effect:

'O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, you are awe-inspiring and strong and just and merciful, you alone are king and are kind, you alone are bountiful, you alone are just and almighty and eternal. You rescue Israel from every evil; you chose the ancestors and consecrated them. Accept this sacrifice on behalf of all your people Israel and preserve your portion and make it holy. Gather together our scattered people, set free those who are slaves among the Gentiles, look on those who are rejected and despised, and let the Gentiles know that you are our God. Punish those who oppress and are insolent with pride. Plant your people in your holy place, as Moses promised.'

Then the priests sang the hymns. After the materials of the sacrifice had been consumed, Nehemiah ordered that the liquid that was left should be poured on large stones. When this was done, a flame blazed up; but when the light from the altar shone back, it went out. When this matter became known, and it was reported to the king of the Persians that, in the place where the exiled priests had hidden the fire, the liquid had appeared with which Nehemiah and his associates had burned the materials of the sacrifice, the king investigated the matter, and enclosed the place and made it sacred. And with those persons whom the king favored he exchanged many excellent gifts. Nehemiah and his associates called this 'nephthar,' which means purification, but by most people it is called naphtha."

2 Maccabees 1:18-36

"Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-eighth year, they rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering that they had built.  At the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals.  All the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed Heaven, who had prospered them.  So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days, and joyfully offered burnt offerings; they offered a sacrifice of well-being and a thanksgiving offering.  They decorated the front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they restored the gates and the chambers for the priests, and fitted them with doors.  There was very great joy among the people, and the disgrace brought by the Gentiles was removed.

Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev."

1 Maccabees 4:52-59

"...After this, the sons of Israel went up to the Temple and rebuilt its gates and purified the Temple from the dead bodies and from the defilement. And they sought after pure olive oil to light the lamps therewith, but could not find any, except one bowl that was sealed with the signet ring of the High Priest from the days of Samuel the prophet and they knew that it was pure. There was in it [enough oil] to light [the lamps therewith] for one day, but the God of heaven whose name dwells there put therein his blessing and they were able to light from it eight days. Therefore, the sons of Ḥashmonai made this covenant and took upon themselves a solemn vow, they and the sons of Israel, all of them, to publish amongst the sons of Israel, [to the end] that they might observe these eight days of joy and honour, as the days of the feasts written in [the book of] the Law; [even] to light in them so as to make known to those who come after them that their God wrought for them salvation from heaven. In them, it is not permitted to mourn, neither to decree a fast [on those days], and anyone who has a vow to perform, let him perform it."

Megillat Antiochus

First Sunday of Advent - The Promise

Today marks the first Sunday of Advent, where we remember the hope and promise of a coming Messiah, as well as looking forward to the promise of His return.

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:  they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. [...]

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The might God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Happy Thanksgiving 2019!

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added... No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union."

President Abraham Lincoln: Proclamation of Thanksgiving

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!  I want you all to know that I am greatly appreciative of all of you that are reading.  I pray you have many things to be thankful for and that the list only grows over the coming days, months, and years.  I hope you are able to take the time to be with family today, whether it be the one you are born into or the one you choose, and are able to take the time to reflect on the blessings in your life and to express that gratitude.

Give thanks.

This holiday may can be easily overshadowed by those around it, but it remains an important day for us to stop all the craziness and remember the blessings great and small in our lives.  It's a day of refreshing, a reminder, it refocuses us.

I pray we never lose sight of that.

Happy Halloween!

"This is Halloween, This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween..."

It's that time of year again.  A great cold day for Trick or Treating, for carnivals, and spook houses.  To dress up.  To feel young again.  To eat all the candy you shouldn't and not regret it (at least until tomorrow).

So, why not enjoy it?

Turn on the lights and pass out candy instead of acting like you are not home.  Go trick or treating yourself.  If nothing else, go pass out candy to cashiers at grocery stores and fast food windows; make someone's day who has to work.

Why not go to mass and light candles for those that have passed on before, a recognition of the commencement of Allhallowtide?

How ever you celebrate, please, let everybody else enjoy the fun too.

If you are passing out candy, give candy to the teenagers who come to your door.  Don't ask if "they are too old to be trick or treating."  They could be doing so many other worse things than being a little childish.  If it keeps them safe and legal, why not.  You don't know if they're just hungry, or if they don't want to go home to whatever awaits them there.  Further, don't equate size with mental state.  You don't know what level they are able to interact with you on.  It shouldn't matter.  If they come to your door, let them have a little fun tonight, too.

Please don't refuse to give candy to kids who aren't dressed up or who barely have a costume on.   The child might have sensory issues or autism that makes dressing up impossible.   Don't berate anyone who doesn't say thank you.   They may be non-verbal.

If they are not from "your" neighborhood, good.  More's the better.  Make sure they feel safe in your neighborhood too.

Halloween has gotten a bad rap in many circles, particularly Evangelical, stemming from a complete misunderstanding of the holiday and its history.  There should be something for everyone to enjoy and reflect on tonight.

So, in the spirit of the season, I wish you a great All Hallows' Eve.  May you have a blessed and safe evening.  May you get full sized candy bars.  And may you enter this season of remembrance looking toward the Thanksgiving to come.

Happy Halloween, everybody!

Indigenous Peoples Day 2019

Today, Octoboer 14, 2019, marks the first officially recognized observance of Indigenous Peoples Day in Dallas.  A day to celebrate and honor Native American peoples and to commemorate their histories and cultures.

Today we remember America wasn't discovered.  Not by Columbus, not even by the Vikings who beat him here.  Yes, they opened up trade, they made the contact between Europe and the Americas, but there wasn't anything to discover.  There were always people of this land here.  And sadly, the European contact with the land came largely at the expense of those already here.

Today is a day we remember the tragedies the indigenous people have endured and find inspiration in their overcoming ongoing struggles today.   It should be a day most of us remember that we still have a lot to wrestle with in our history. 

Sadly, our education system is failing in teaching us history.  It has been has been so undervalued for so long, we cling to problematic myths and struggle with the wrong parts of our heritage.  And we can see this in the battles over whether today should be Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.

It's time to have a celebration that recognizes the heritage of our country and land dates back much farther than any date when a European stepped foot on this land.  And when we recognize that, perhaps we can start dealing with the harder issues.

Perhaps a great way to start today would be in learning more about the native peoples of Texas, or for your particular region.

"Before our white brothers arrived to make us civilized men, we didn’t have any kind of prison. Because of this, we had no delinquents. Without a prison, there can be no delinquents. We had no locks nor keys and therefore among us there were no thieves. When someone was so poor that he couldn’t afford a horse, a tent or a blanket, he would, in that case, receive it all as a gift. We were too uncivilized to give great importance to private property. We didn’t know any kind of money and consequently, the value of a human being was not determined by his wealth. We had no written laws laid down, no lawyers, no politicians, therefore we were not able to cheat and swindle one another. We were really in bad shape before the white men arrived and I don’t know how to explain how we were able to manage without these fundamental things that (so they tell us) are so necessary for a civilized society."

John Fire Lame Deer

After See You At The Pole 2019

Today, thousands of students and faculty gathered yesterday around the flagpoles at their schools to partake in the annual See You At The Pole event.  They gathered, sang hymns and praise songs, prayed for their school and fellow students.  They may have even had a breakfast gathering at a local church before the event.  It will likely be the highlight of the year for many.

The question, though, is now what?

Will See You At The Pole be a one time blip in the school year, now matter how positive the experience, how high the mountaintop?  Will it have a lasting impact?  Will there be something that is carried forward throughout the year in the lives of the students and others involved?

And the biggest message that I would like to promote is that it does not have to end.  See You At The Pole could happen every day at our schools.  Students could gather every single day and pray for the day ahead.

Despite what far too many people believe, all prayer in school is not outlawed.  Student led, student initiated, genuine student prayer is and has always been permissible in the school system (Tinker v Des Moines Independent Community School, 1969).  The 1995 Clinton Administration guidelines provide for school religious activities as long as they pass constitutional guidelines and even the ACLU approves of student-led prayer like SYATP before and after school so long as the school neither encourages or discourages participation.

Now, there may be consequences if a student starts praying out loud while the teacher is trying to teach, but that is more of an issue of appropriateness that even Jesus addressed.   "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:5-6.  Jesus in this passage is dealing with the motive for prayer, and one would have to question the motive of a student praying aloud, interrupting the lesson.  For that, there should be consequences.

The school prayer that is not condoned is the kind where participation is mandatory.  Where everyone has to listen.  Where a teacher prays aloud over a class or where a principal or someone else prays aloud over the loud-speaker for the entire school to hear.  That has always been problematic and should not have been condoned.  We should stop championing that type of school prayer.

But student-led, student-initiated prayer where participation is completely voluntary and not addressed by the school, is perfectly valid and allowed.  That goes to the heart of individual religious belief.  And the school cannot stand in its way.

Can you imagine if the Christian students of your school gathered everyday before class around the flag pole and prayed for the day ahead?  Can you imagine what the school would look like at the end of that year?

Let's go further, what would the school system look like, if every Christian teacher went to their room early, before any students arrived, locked the door, and prayed for the day ahead?  If every Christian principal got to the school before anyone else and walked the halls and prayed over them to start the day?

There is nothing to stop this from happening today but our own inaction.

But we do not have to limit this to schools.  What would my office look like if I stayed and prayed over it?  What would your business look like if you got there and prayed over it every day?  If all the Christians in the office/business/etc started the day with a joint prayer?  This doesn't have to be the kind of thing that only happens with a church staff or "Christian" organization.

So to those students and faculty who participated in See You At The Pole, keep it up.  Don't be discouraged, don't let this fade.  Keep praying, keep living the life you have been called to.  Find a group of fellow believers and keep it up.

Even if you're the only one, keep praying.  Keep showing up to meet God at that flag pole and pray.

After all, beyond all the publicity and notoriety the event has, that is what it is truly all about.

To meet God where we are and talk to and hear from Him.

2019 Oscar Nominations

The Academy Award nominations for 2019 were released yesterday and contain some surprising inclusions and snubs.

Nerd culture continues to show its strength with the inclusion of Black Panther in the Best Picture nomination, and with the two favored animated features being Incredibles 2 and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Won't You Be My Neighbor being snubbed for Best Documentary Feature is surprising, as was Bradley Cooper's lack of a directoral nod for A Star is Born.

The impact of streaming services can also be seen with the nominations for Roma and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, both of which were Netflix releases.  Netflix had 15 nominations this year, with Roma accounting for 10 of them.  With Netflix joining the MPAA, this is only likely to increase.

Jamie and I have only seen one of the Best Picture nominations this year (but two of the Best Animated Features).  We hope to remedy that soon. We have a date weekend coming and hope to catch up on at least three thanks to streaming, Redbox, and a trip to the theater.  We used to try to see them all and come to our recommendations, but that has been much more difficult after children.

It will be interesting to see how this ceremony progresses, as the plan as of now is to still proceed without a host.  While the Muppets do not seem to be imminent, there may be an Avengers reunion in the works.  Synergy at its best.

What have you seen of this year's nominees?  Let me know your thoughts.

A complete list of the nominees can be found here.

A Year of Milestones

As we look forward to all that is scheduled to occur in 2019, it is apparent that the year will be one of many milestones and hopefully, many celebrations.  And just as important as it is to look back at where we've come from, I also think it's very important to look ahead for the signposts of where we are going.  So, Lord willing, these are just a few of the milestones, celebrations and trips we'll be looking forward to:

• Jude enters the terrible twos in February - And just like that, he's no longer a baby.  Come February, Jude will be a full-fledged toddler, with the start of the terrible twos.  Here's hoping his are mild.
• Level 2 Legal turns 10 in February - In our field, this is incredible.  This little start up that seemed to always be jumping into something far bigger than itself has survived 10 years in this market due to quality, consistency, and tenacity.  We have the best clients in the world, though I think we could still be marketed as the best kept secret in legal services.  It will be fun to celebrate the Tin/Aluminum anniversary of the company and my 10 year tenure with them.
• Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary in May - Love that lasts is always worth celebrating.  Though they'll have their own getaway, we'll be helping them continue the celebration with a full family trip to Walt Disney World, where we'll get to take part in Disney Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary.  They wanted all their kids and grandkids together and they'll get to spend a bit of a day with each grandchild one on one.
• Avalyn turns five in June - We always said we would wait three to five years after getting married to have kids and it ended up being right at five.  Our little girl hits the half decade mark.  She's smarter than I was at that age and I often forget how young she is.  She's our little wonder and she's growing up too fast.
• Jamie and I will celebrate our 10th Anniversary in June - I have often remarked to Jamie that our marriage seems both like it just happened and that it always was.  It has been an incredible ten years and we are looking forward to many more.  We'll celebrate with our annual getaway, this time likely to someplace neither of us have been - Philadelphia.
• Jamie will go to Costa Rica with students in June - she loves continuing the travel program through the school and this trip will take her to one of her favorite destinations.
• Avalyn will start school in August/September - this one is the hardest one to believe. Our smart little four year old, will be eligible for Kindergarten with her upcoming birthday.  

This is just a fraction of what we're looking forward to.  There will be many other things to celebrate. Birthdays, reunions, a wedding.  Hopefully at least one other getaway.  I also know there will be things this year that will be challenging.  There will be sadness and grief.  There will be difficulties.  But keeping these milestones and celebrations in view, as well as being surrounded by the people who celebrate with you, that's what makes those moments bearable. 

So here's to the moments worth celebrating and everyone in between.  This will be a good list to come back to at the end of the year and see how things turned out.

Resolved

It's that time of year, when everyone is making New Year's resolutions.   A plan for changes and improvements in the new year.  And while I'm not one who usually makes resolutions, I thought I would try my hat at a few.  A few are necessary, a few are hopeful.  All in all, good changes to live by.

• Keep getting away just Jamie and me annually - I love this tradition and will work to make sure that this continues to happen.  A weekend getaway to either a favorite destination or a new location for one or both of us.  With our wanderlust, we will keep this alive.
• Read a book monthly - At least.  With the kids, I don't get to read as much for entertainment as I would like, but I want to shoot for at least a book a month.
• Meal prep weekly - If I want to improve how I eat, I'm going to have to meal prep for my lunches.  My greatest challenge comes down to a lack of planning, so I'm going to have to be on top of it.
• Run two-three times a week - I had started running a year ago and need to pick it back up.  My goal is to be able to get through a 5K jogging and not be caught by the people sweepers at the end.
• Write daily - I have been able to keep the blog going basically daily through pre-planning a lot of posts.  My goal now is to make sure to write something each day, just to further refine the skill.
• Stand hourly - I sit far too long, in the car, at my desk, and at home.  I need to make a point to stand more, particularly with the standing desk.  So the goal is to make a point to stand at least once an hour for an extended period of time.
• Be thankful always - This is the toughest of them all.  To keep a mindset of thankfulness.  To remember how much I have to be thankful for in all situations.  To remember how much we have been blessed by our Creator and to be demonstrative of that thankfulness.

Hopefully, this list will be one that I can stick to, and have others prodding me along.  Did you make New Year's resolutions?  If so, what's on your list?

...in with the New - 2019

Welcome to 2019.  An opportunity to start a new chapter, a new story, a new verse.  There's no reason a new start should limited to today alone, but the day and the occasion does make for a good transition.

In this season of resolutions, I pray you make them and work towards them.  If nothing else, to try something new and different.  Something you've always wanted to do.  Be bold.  Be daring.  Shoot for the moon.  Be wild and ambitious.  But most of all be kind.  If it's one thing I've observed and wished for my life, it is that we need more kindness in the world.  Pure, unadulterated kindness.  To view the whole world as our neighborhood.  I hope to be a part of that change.

"Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness."  William Shakespeare

I thought I would start this year by passing along a few of my favorite New Year's wishes from one of my favorite authors.  I love his prose and I love his sensibility and sentiment in each of the wishes.  From his journal, and annual New Year's Eve entries.  The emphasis added is mine.

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.  I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.  And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." 12/31/2007

"I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return.  And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind." 12/31/2008

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.  Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.  So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.  Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.  Make your mistakes, next year and forever.” 12/31/2011

"So this is my wish, a wish for me as much as it is a wish for you:  in the world to come, let us be brave - let us walk into the dark without fear, and step into the unknown with smiles on our faces, even if we are faking them.

And whatever happens to us, whatever we make, whatever we learn, let us take joy in it.  We can find joy in the world if it's joy we're looking for, we can take joy in the act of creation.

So that is my wish for you, and for me.  Bravery and joy." 12/31/2012

"Be kind to yourself in the year ahead.

Remember to forgive yourself, and to forgive others.  It's too easy to be outraged these days, so much harder to change things, to reach out, to understand.

Try to make your time matter: minutes and hours and days and weeks can blow away like dead leaves, with nothing to show but time you spent not quite ever doing things, or time you spent waiting to begin.

Meet new people and talk to them.  Make new things and show them to people who might enjoy them.

Hug too much.  Smile too much.  And, when you can, love."

Neil Gaiman, 12/31/18

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

Happy New Year!