ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Paul always had a sketchbook with him in the car so that he could quickly draw an image that attracted his attention. Most sketches remain in that book until they’re ready to be used for reference. The lessons we learn from one year can be valuable in how we approach a new one. Looking back at how we managed to survive a serious obstacle gave us the stuff we needed to handle those things in the future. As this year closes and a new one begins, I can’t believe a whole year has almost been spent. I started each day of 2025 with a simple prayer thanking Jesus for another day. That prayer sustained me throughout the year. God has already laid out His plan for me, so I had confidence it would be good. Of course there were roadblocks. The first occurred on the very first day of 2025 when my husband passed away. I needed every ounce of strength, wisdom and faith which God offered freely. In examining Paul’s sketchbooks, I see the same prayer being fulfilled in all his days on this planet. He used his gift to express his love for nature, his passion for the beauty of God’s creation and his determination to share God’s love with anyone who would listen. He wasn’t afraid to spread his “wings.” He taught me the grace that Jesus brought back into the world with His coming. He made it possible for me to believe that I was worthy of God’s forgiveness, because of the love Jesus has for all human beings. As a new year begins, those truths will stay in my heart. I will be able to approach the challenges that lay ahead with confidence that I can thank Jesus for another day.

Birds can’t fly unless they open their wings,

They soar through the air and their voices sing,

If we flew that high or just opened a door,

We could make things happen and so much more.

As a new year arrives and minutes fly,

Will we arrive at our place in the sky,

We strive for success, we hope for the best,

We hope that our goals will finally be met.

A second chance is God’s greatest gift,

Forget all that’s past, to a new plan shift,

With every new day, we begin once more,

But first we must open our own front door.