I didn’t mean to take the rest of the year off. June through December 2014 had much to tell, but much of it difficult and best left untold. Mostly though, all are well and ready to tackle 2015.
There were joys however: there was a wedding in September, the highlight of the year, and that deserved a blog post. But photos are up on Jeri’s Facebook page at least, and maybe I’ll post a few here someday.
For a New Year prayer, here’s what I found on a friend’s blog: it’s attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, but may be more contemporary. No matter, it’s here, and very un-American.
Most of the versions on the web omit the final verse but I include it as a benediction. St. Francis would approve.
Is it a blessing or a curse?
May God bless you with a restless discomfort
about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships,
so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression,
and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for
justice, freedom, and peace among all people.May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer
from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may
reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that
you really can make a difference in this world, so that you are able,
with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.And the blessing of God the Supreme Majesty and our Creator,
Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word who is our brother and Saviour,
and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide, be with you
and remain with you, this day and forevermore.Amen.
Definitely a blessing, Ted. Thanks for posting this. So great to see a New Year’s post from you – missed hearing anything from you for these past months. All best and happy new year from Queensborough, Ont.!
Thanks, Katherine. Blessings to you too.
I check your blog once in a while. I think I’ve seen a couple of red Ford Ranger trucks in your driveway, one of them exactly like my red Ranger here on the island—still running OK, and the body looks great, but the frame has rusted through and broken (!). Rear bumper fell off from rust last year. Definitely an island truck now, only more so, and I may have to crawl underneath and splint it with a 2×4. At least the door doesn’t fly open going around corners. That’s another indication of an island truck.
If you’re getting rid of one of yours, let me know…
You’re right on the red Ford Ranger front, Ted, though there’s only one of them. A vintage model, like yours, but running pretty well. I’d never heard the term “island truck” before, but I totally get what you mean – I’ve had a few vehicles (mostly VWs) like that myself!