A New Year

Remembrances & Gratitude

Imagine playing Santa Claus for your children a week ago.

Having dinner with your family on Christmas Day.

Kissing your wife goodbye on New Year’s Eve.

Never coming home again…

The unthinkable happened in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, yesterday morning.  A madman unleashed more than a hundred rounds of ammunition at five police officers, striking all of them and killing Deputy Zackari Parrish.

He was 29.

A husband.

A father of two young daughters.

Now, his wife is a widow, his children are fatherless, and all their dreams and plans died with him.

Gun debate aside, much can be gleaned from this tragic moment.

Never take a single day of your life for granted.

Never forget to count your blessings.

Put anger and petty differences aside.

Show kindness to every person you meet.

As our community deals with this tragedy, we will all come together, regardless of political or philosophical beliefs.  We will embrace one another, attend memorial services, cry for the loss of one of our own, and support Deputy Parrish’s family in whatever ways we can.

First and foremost, we are human beings.  As Jewel’s song “Hands” reminds us:  “In the end, only kindness matters.”

This year, let’s strive to make 2018 one of empathy, compassion, and peace.

No matter what our religious affiliation, whether we have one or not, all people can hold Jesus’ words in their hearts:

"Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

~John 13:34

Happy New Year with love,

Linda