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."