As we begin a new year, I find it fitting to remember how thankful I am to even be here, to be alive, to be pursuing my calling, to enjoy family, to relish the joy of uplifting friendships, and to have the humbling knowledge of just how very much yet underservingly I am blessed.
Over the years I have worked hard at ensuring my place amongst the least deserving, fought hard for that title, even; and yet, my plans end up not my own. I have a family I love, cherish, and am blessed by and with a thousandfold thousands more times than most people deserve. The unabashed joy in countless faces shouting warm greetings just because of their joy in seeing you is a gift that never grows old, never breaks, never fades away...it is a gift that will remain regardless of how the times get. I have had a long list of friends who have brought more joy, maturity, peace, and pleasure into my life than I could ever claim to be worth.
I have examples in my life...people to look up to, people who have taken the time out of their pursuits to mentor and impart wisdom...who have left me speechless with wonder when I compare myself to them. Refer to the 'my father' and 'my mother' notes for one. I had the distinct joy of sitting down with a WWII vet this last week that I have known for 20 years, and whom I did some work with 15 years ago, and finally hear some of his life story and what drives him. A man, that at 85, believes he still has too much to do in thankfulness for how much he has been blessed. I have grandparents that have been examples of service and dedication for over 50 years now, and two sets of grandparents whose very lives are testimonies to how the right decisions, the right dedication, the right love and commitment, can reverberate through generations and hundreds if not thousands of people long after their own work is done.
As the old Fool moves into a new year, decade, challenges, and pursuits, he is left with naught but two prayers: Help him remember to take comfort in the fact that he is the Potter's very own clay, and help him to strive to be someday have been even slightly worth the blessings he has been deluged with from the day of his birth.
A happy new year to all, but may we always be able to find the joy in the memories of ones now only history and memories.
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The Old Fool
“If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” -George Orwell.
Blog - Musings of an Old Fool by
Juan Lopez is licensed under a
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Based on a work at
lopezj4141.blogspot.com.
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