I’ve realized over the years that the period between the end of a year and the beginning of a new year is often a time of loss for families. I don’t know whether it’s the ending of a long hard year or the thought of facing another hard year that pushes an old person over the edge. I’m working through the loss of a family member, the possible loss of another shortly, and several friends who will most likely not see 2023. All have professed faith in Jesus, so I feel their future will be in a better place. It’s hard to let go. We puny humans cling to the life we have here on Earth, not because it is perfect, but because it’s all we know. Tomorrow is never promised, but the older you are, the surer the end is near. My kids hate to hear me mention passing, but realistically I need to plan for the inevitable. What is important is spending time with your loved ones.
Promise yourself this year that you will make time for your fam-ily and let them know you care.
Last Friday was the UIL Academic competition. Rochelle was the host school, and I was hoping they would have their soup competition for the teacher’s hospitality room. They did not disappoint me. We had a choice of 10 different soups and stews. My favorite was the spicy sausage and potato. As it turned out, it was also many others’ favorite. There was a certain amount of confusion at the event due to the last-minute pull-out of Cherokee and Brookesmith. That left the event planners scrambling to change venues and activities. Inevitably, when you make last minute changes, errors occur. There wasn’t much to be done to avoid mix-ups. Several of my students didn’t get to participate in their contest due to scheduling problems. I hate it for them, but I understand the dilemma faced by last minute changes. I left around 6 p.m., and it looked as if we were firmly in second place.
If you haven’t attended any basketball games this year, I strongly encourage you to watch both the girls and the boys games. Friday evening, the boys played a team from Burnet, The Smokin’ for Jesus team. It was an amazingly fast paced scramble from bell to bell. Why don’t you put the next game on your calendar?
We’re still needing a good soaking rain for our area. For those of you who have not seen the posts from Kay McKee, they have sent Gerald home since there is nothing more to be done for his cancer. Please keep this family in your prayers. Billie Behrens has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, so the Behrens need prayers. Delores Smith fell and broke her collarbone. Our country and government need our prayers. Although this new variant is mild, it is easily caught.
Please keep yourself safe. God bless each of you, and pray for our precious troops and their families.