‘A merry heart doeth like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.’ Proverbs 17:22 KJV

It is a lovely winter day. This is the year we celebrated New Year’s Eve. Almost a month gone. Our lives are full of surprises. Home is first in our hearts before it is in our actions. I watched our dear friend Jennifer last evening so happy and genuine. She uplifted my New Year Spirit.

We are amid the Grand Experiment—life! Every day is an adventure, and every kind word is a mitzvah. Our world awaits us. We should be so immersed in the joy of living that when we transition to death it will be a big surprise. What will the next hold for us if it is this wonderful in this Universe!

People are waiting to help you. There are always Helpers lurking about. As I walked the somewhat warmer Woods this morning the Park Staff waved vigorously at me. I am the Old Man of the Woods.

I have become old and now realize that no one has all the material things they desire nor travels to every location on their Bucket List. The joy is in the journey. Our world is full of loving and wonderful human beings. We are deceived by the algorithms that bunch people of ill will together. They are in the minority…humanity will win!

We are not a failing nation full of ne’er-do-wells. For over 32 years, I was privileged to be associated with the Building Services Department at Southern Illinois University. Kind intelligent, and hard-working colleagues who worked at their School as if the University’s success depended on them. Human beings from over 70 countries. Friends who helped others daily. We laughed often and with abandon. We cared about our precious students. We listened to their problems and fed them when they were hungry. There was no stronger department at SIUC!

Before I had the internet I was fascinated by the concept. All of the world’s knowledge is at my fingertips. It would be like having the Library of Congress at my disposal. Wolves came in in sheep’s clothing.

My dear friend Jeff tells the best jokes. I laughed until my sides hurt when I was with him. He owns his own business and carries a load of responsibility yet has time to laugh. Let us all be like Jeff…