New Year's Day

It has been almost a year since I have posted here. Even though no one really reads these words I am feeling the urge to write here once again. Not certain where this impetus is coming from. Maybe the fact that it is the beginning of a New year. A year in which I will turn 70 years of age. Seventy is an age at which one cannot deny the reality of their mortality or the fact that this life is not a dress rehearsal. It is all we get. It is all I got. At some point I hope that my children and grandchildren will wonder, "What was he thinking during those final decades of life? What was important to him?"



So, I'm writing again. For myself and for those I love and who love me who might have some interest in these thoughts.

Last night, as I awaited with John for the "ball to drop", I watched an interesting interview Charlie Rose did with the actor, Bill Murray.



. It was from February of 2014 and I found it fascinating. I've always enjoyed watching Murray in films and especially enjoyed his latest, "St. Vincent." In the interview Murray kept stressing that his focus in this season of his life is to "be available" to life. For Bill Murray, to "be available" is to pay attention to the here and now, to not be distracted. To be fully involved in life. Though he can be somewhat cryptic, that made some sense to me.  It is so tempting to be distracted especially in  this season of life. One can fill life up with anxiety about the future and about the present. The struggles, illnesses, and deaths of contemporaries is every day news. Every week it seems there is a doctors visit scheduled and a new ache or pain or physical limitation.

Yet, and it is a big and grace-filled yet, the days are also filled with opportunities and challenges and the possibility of adventure. One of the greatest opportunities, I think, is the opportunity to be grateful for what is. This past Saturday, all the children and grandchildren (twenty of us) gathered in our small living room to exchange Christmas gifts. As I looked around the room I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for the day, the opportunity, and most of all the people. Who am I to be so blessed.