Farewell 2017: Everyday we wrote the book

We are barely removed from the end of 2017,

which is a good thing because it was a very tough year in America.

We lost a lot of dear and talented people: 

Dick Enberg, Tom Petty, Mary Tyler Moore, come to mind.

And, there were lesser known but just as important ones we 

lost such as Maryam Mirzakhani, who was a Stanford 

mathematician. She worked like an artist, always drawing.

For nearly the entire year, we dealt with a President named Trump.

And, we know how well this has turned out for our country.

However, with the arrival of 2018, the first blank page of a 365-page,

year-long book that each of us will author began to be filled.

All of us start the New Year with a clean slate.

Hopefully, each of us will take the time to write a thoughtful book, 

be it a memoir or a best-selling novel,

day by day, page by page.

 With 2018 coming into clearer view, we welcome its challenges.

Remember, the words of Ecclesiastes, who said:

"The race is not to the swift,

nor the battle to the strong."

Life is to be enjoyed day by day,

 one day at a time.

Take time for family,

read a good book, 

listen to good music,

master a hobby like photography,

talk to good friends – and listen to them, too.

Support the arts, support newspapers.

Vote your conscience, but do vote!

Here's wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year.

May each of you enjoy cheers, love and peace on earth

in the New Year ahead.