Happy New Year to all.

I am always glad for a new year. Not just because I am old and glad to be alive for one more year, but that is part of it.  I am glad to have met in space, all of you here on this message board.  How kind most of you are and how helpful!  I hope that I have brought a little joy into your last year.
Merry New Year!
Love,
Betty

Betty, your feelings are returned.  You have brought joy with your posts.  
Having someone to share the ups and downs we go through helps.  Having those same people let us know that we are not alone with our problems somehow helps.  Some are sick and a bit of comfort/understanding helps.  Some have loved ones who are experiencing difficulties that weigh heavily on us.  Getting it off our chests helps.   
Making decisions during a crisis can affect others.  I’m going through such a situation at the moment.  My wife is in intensive care at the hospital.  Oversight in not informing a particular party placed me in a situation where I am made to feel guilty.  When we go through crisis we make mistakes.  The positive side is that it helps us understand what it is like when others face similar situations.  Our focus can be clouded with the many issues we face during a crisis.  Acts of omission are often viewed as bad as acts of commission.  “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t” is real.
The immediate reaction is to justify ones actions and although those justifications are valid, they don’t change anything.   Wanting to make the other person feel bad for making hurtful accusations can make the situation worse.  The tendency to win, be right, is not relevant.  To simply say, “I’m sorry.  I screwed up.  I’ll try not to make the same mistake again” may be the best response.
FYI, my wife was diagnosed with acute bronchitis and the beginning of pneumonia requiring immediate treatment.  Her “Myasthenia Gravis” disease complicated the situation since certain drugs must not be prescribed that could be fatal and it is, IMV, the reason the doctor sent her to the hospital. Consultation with a neurologist and/or someone familiar with the disease before treatment places medical professionals in a difficult position.
I look forward to a New Year.  We cannot undo the mistakes we made during the past and it gives us a fresh start.  It doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes, but we can hope that we don’t repeat past mistakes. 
 
Living “One day at a time” may be an over-used cliché, but it has real meaning as we age since future planning is limited. 
 
I sincerely wish that all my friends on this forum have a new year filled with much happiness.

Happy New year to, All.

It is fun to start  over.

Dear Abe,
I feel in my heart that your dear wife will be ok.  I am glad that people have the common sense to put her in intensive care.  For someone to attach guilt to a person like you who loves with all your energies is just mean.  I will pray for your family.  I have always known that you are "one of a kind" and your generous heart beats for your wife.  She will be ok.
Alice, I know you have your own troubles, too. Happy New Year to everyone here. 
Love, Betty and David and Jazzmin, Toby and Mama Cass and all the animals of the Woods.

News?  I hope it is good news.  Love, Betty

Abe,
You and your wife are in our kindest thoughts and prayers.

Thank you.  Yesterday she was moved from Intensive care to a regular room.  She is feeling better.  The infusions are working. We even took a walk outside together.  The problem as usual, is not to overdo things prematurily.  The positive side is that she wants to get well asap.  The will to get better goes a long way with recovery.  She wants to be home for the New Year celebration.  Today we'll find out if that is possible. 

Many people are stocking up on firesworks.  Setting off fireworks is legal where I live.  The downside is that taking proper precautions is ignored by some and accidents will happen - sometimes even fatal.  What goes up will come down. 

Wishing all a great New Year.

During the Christmas holidays, we frequently heard the phrase:  “Peace on Earth good will toward men.”  We are entering a New Year – an election year.  What Candidate for President represents these values? What candidate wants to work for the common good? 
A “kill” mentality exists within the ranks of the voter and some Presidential candidates.  “Wipe em out!”  “Nuke em!”  “Bomb the shit out of them!”  Where is the connection to “Peace on Earth and good will toward men” with these comments?  Candidates who seek peaceful solutions are considered “weak” by many without understanding that it takes more effort and courage to do the right thing.  Fighting hate with hate hasn’t worked.  “Give peace a chance” is a song with a message.  Remember that with every action there is a reaction.  What reaction do you want?  Your vote counts.  Vote wisely and have a Happy New Year.

12/30

                 To Everyone..

                                  " Happy New Year may everyone have good health, Peace on Earth
and Abe may your wife get well soon, she'll be in my prayers."


                                                        Love Joe & Dusty

Don't be too hard on yourself, Abe; we all make mistakes. I hope Gisela is feeling better and is home for the New Year.

Take care and best wishes,
Shelagh

Thanks Joe & Shelagh.  She is doing much better.  I decided that if she is not home on New Year's Eve, my son and I will go to the hospital and take Champagne with us and have our own celebration in the hospital.  There are no rules about visiting hours.  She will of course have to ask the Doctor about mixing alcohol with the medication.  In any event, we will celebrate.

A very good plan, Abe. I hope your new year has less heath issues and more joy.  Love, Betty

As an author, I see the  new year as a new book - or a new chapter in a book in progress.  We have the pen in hand or the computer at hand and we have the power to write in that book how we will see our days and react to our challenges.  May you write the best story yet for your upcoming year - one of joy and satisfaction for overcoming the challenges that will likely occur.

I missed Sunday's sermon - which is part of a burning bowl ceremony to set fire to the things of the past we wish to discard.  I never liked that ceremony and skip church accordingly.  I don't want to set fire to anything from my past but rather see is as what gave me today and tomorrow.  I cannot rewrite the past for which I may have yearned, but I can write today as I would like it to be and accumulate new memories that bring me joy in the moment and hope for the days ahead.

This is also a time to gather blessings and just smile with gratitude and let it overflow. Even with trials and tribulations there are the blessings of love and friendship and overcoming struggles. 

Have a great new year dear fellow travelers - may we journey with joy in this new page of our lives. Love, dk

FYI.  I brought my wife home yesterday.  She is feeling much better and is happy to be home.  The cats welcomed her with much affection.  She had difficulty walking with them rubbing around her legs.  When she layed down they perched on top of her waiting for her special scrubbles.  Animals know how to show affection/love.
Thanks to all of you for your concern and prayers.