Today is significant. It has weight. It has value. Today we feel the burden of 2024 on our shoulders. We know the New Year will ask much of us. When I was working I understood what each season of the year brought my department regarding its duties and challenges. The same can be said for life now as a retired person beginning my 14th year of retirement.

The Sun is shining bright on our Old Illinois Home as we embark on 2024. We retired folks have our challenges. Health is a primary one. Our bodies are deteriorating while we are walking around in them. You begin to notice the transformation around 40. Faith is transforming in the United States. Denominations are losing membership while fundamentalist churches are gaining members. The Moral Majority was the catalyst in combining faith/nationalism. Many folks worship America. I love my country but I am not convinced that the authors of the Bible had America in mind when they wrote their portion of the book.

Life in 2024 will be best observed through the prism of your local challenges. We are a bit focused on national and international occurrences when our true impact is at home. Who is in need? Who is hungry? Who is homeless. Are books being banned in our libraries? Are civil rights being abated and abridged in our towns villages and hamlets? 

Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath it entered into the heart of man what one person can accomplish that is inspired by their cause! 

This is the first day of the rest of our lives. We can change. We can be reborn and renewed and revitalized. We can develop a new vision of the future. All success is incremental as is all improvement…but today is a good day to begin…