Its an old world, but a new year...

My dad left us this year, at 84, and it leaves a big hole in our lives.  I feel guilty for not wanting him to leave, but he wanted to get on with it, to be with his mom and dad and siblings...he was the last.  We must soldier on, review the good lessons he taught us and carry it forward.  It's a duty, otherwise his whole life will be in vain.  His passing opened my eyes and ears to many things, and most of all, it showed me the value of my community...wow!  What awesome people my neighbours are!

This has been quite the year for elections here in North America, all of them significant because this is an wholistic world we live in, all connected for better or for worse.  My little community is facing another election as well, and we all have a duty to think about what will make things better, first for our Mother the Earth, and secondly for our children to come.  Public office is an awful way to make a living, I pity people who become elected to office because its a thankless job...even if there is personal gain, it never measures up to the pain and suffering the family has to endure due to public opinions and pressure.  For years, I thought that I could make a positive difference were I in office, but now when I look at it, and the many good people that have been left by the wayside after being chewed on by their contempories I really have to give my head a shake.  I may consider taking a small role, but I'm too old now to consider taking anything too heavy, I love my family too much to do them harm.

I'm working in the school system now, still coming to grips with the monster pay cut and having my wife's salary twice as much as mine.  But, that's pride talking, and anyway; I have secret plans to become a much more substantial breadwinner.  The kids I work with are the most awesome human beings I've ever met, every one of them.  I need to find ways to help them on a broader scale, hmmmm.   Nothing yet!  But, ideas will come, just give me time.  In the meantime I have to finish last year's chores.  Happy New Year to all of you good people!