Happy New Year; continue good cheer
The year 2023 is nearly over.
Christmas is past. New Year’s is just days away.
It’s an especially busy time of year, but can also be quite joyful.
The fall season began with Thanksgiving — a time for which to be grateful and contemplate the blessings we’ve experienced. That does not mean it was a year without trials or sorrows, but it does mean that there’s much (even with sorrow) for which to be grateful.
My own family has experienced death and loss and several of my friends have lost their parents in death this year. Some people would say that’s because I have reached a “certain” age. That may be true. But, it snuck up on me! Although there have been family members who have died (in years past) from long, lingering illnesses, the ones this year were unexpected and took me by surprise.
Because my own grandmother lived to be more than 100 years old, I expected my own mother and aunts (and maybe even myself) to live that long. But, it’s not guaranteed and I’m grateful that many of my children and grandchildren have been blessed with knowing their grandparents and even great-grandparents if only for a while.
There’s wisdom in the aged. They’ve lived, experienced far more than we realize and we should learn from their examples. That’s not to say that all elderly people are wise, but, someone who has lived for seven or more decades will have experienced more than a 20- or 30-year-old.
But, I digress. Christmas is past. The year is nearly over.
But the season for joy, for generosity and caring is never over.
In this busy time, take time to remember those who may be sad, alone, hurting. Write a note (paper and pen or text) and tell them you’re thinking of them. Deliver something freshly baked or a gift card to a local coffee shop or restaurant.
Let’s each find a way to continue to share Christmas cheer and not be so consumed with the busyness of decorating and consumerism that we don’t see our neighbors’ needs.
Happy New Year to each of you!
Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County, chosen the best small weekly newspaper in Arkansas for five years.A native of Louisiana, she moved to northwest Arkansas in 1980 to work for the Benton County Daily Record. She has nine children, six sons-inlaw, a daughter-in-law, nine grandsons and six granddaughters.The opinions expressed are those of the author. She can be reached at abeard@nwaonline.com.