"Time, faith and the love of my family and friends," he said. How wonderful. Somehow, from the moment we met, I knew we would connect. His response was perfect. His answer was mine.

 It is that time of year when we reflect back on accomplishments and failures. It is a wrapping up and an unfolding all in one.

The sentimental fool that I am keeps me deep in thought filling my days with mood swings easily compared to riding a roller coaster.

Oddly, I love those ups and yes, even the downs. The happy thoughts remind me that life is good. The sad thoughts remind me that life is fragile.

In the end I hope for more happy than sad, but still come out on top when the ball officially drops on New Year's Eve, if I can at least find balance.

You may think this is strange, too, when I say some of my best years turned out to be the years when I struggled, lost, failed and retreated into the darkness of that final night of the old year.

Job loss, car repossession, debt, divorce, a failed business, cancer in my family, death of loved ones, depression, all made life nearly unbearable.

Still, the light of the new day, the new year, always seemed to be brighter than any other.

It was in falling down that I learned how to climb.
It was in losing that I learned how to win.
It was in struggling that I found strength.
It was in darkness that I learned to see again.

So, why was this man's response to me so perfect?

This man had just lost his business. This man was struggling with finances, self image, and hope.

He was standing on the edge of a dismal past and desperately trying to see the possibilities in his future.

Instead of dismissing everything as failure he chose to acknowledge the most important parts.

I asked him, "If you could take something with you into the new year, what would it be?"

"Time, faith, the love of my family and friends," he said. "If I have time I can begin again. I can build again. I can start over. If I have faith, I know I cannot fail. If I have the love of my family and friends, I have purpose."

If I don't have the chance to say this to you before the new year begins, my prayer for each of you is time, faith and love in 2009.

© 2008 Bob Perks
Author of "I Wish You Enough"

Note from Bob: I encourage you to share my stories
but I do ask that you keep my name and contact
information with my work.
 

Midi playing ~ "Auld Lang Syne"
Courtesy of Diversi-Tune Midi Files

Header made with word art from Icemaid
Used with permission

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