POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

A lifetime of memories, a brain filled with stuff,

I wonder if all of these things were enough,

In years of contentment or days of despair,

Not one of these memories could heartbreak repair.

Oh, the many lost days would never return,

Escaped like the hot breath of leaves as they burn,

Caught by a cold whirlwind and tossed all about,

They shall not return here, when they are let out.

The minutes become hours, the days turn to years,

Our life passes by us, our joy turns to fears,

Oh, where did the time go and what can we show,

Those life changing memories are cast down below.

Our days they are numbered, we don’t know just when,

When we take our last breath, will we live again,

Heaven’s gates open wide, we’re asked to come in,

Welcome, faithful servant, new life will begin.

There really is no point in looking back on a year past, other than to learn from the mistakes we’ve made, to figure out how to fix them and to look forward to another chance to start over. As we come to the close of 2023, I could go on and on about all the challenges we faced, but nothing is going to change what’s been and done. God has blessed us through difficult times. We’ve discovered true friends. We’ve learned to trust His plan for our lives and give Him the reins. He knows what’s best for us anyway. Each year we grow in wisdom. We face new difficulties. We struggle with old ones. We start a litany of new memories and pray that God would continue to use us for His glory in the year to come. May He bless your next page on the calendar of life. May He watch over you and guide you. May He grant you peace. HAPPY NEW YEAR!