A Toast (Toasty Fire...) To The Year That Was

 There's only a few hours (for us...) left in 2022. Too early to begin a countdown, too late to do finish all those resolutions made a year ago. No, it's time to sit and wait, play some games, listen to music...

And watch a fire burn in the backyard.

I think we've started a new tradition--weather willing.

There's a lot to say about any singular complete journey around the sun. Friends/family members got married, some deaths, some new babies, people bought homes, changed jobs...any possible change has happened to someone.

Last week, before the storms hit, I brought in some firewood into the garage. I also assembled several boxes from Christmas and from cleaning out the basement. I hauled it all outside this afternoon and started a fire. If the storm that's coming had hit earlier, we'd not have a fire.

I watched it burn and thought about life. Something about fires can do that to a person. That basic elemental action--a fire--allows philosophical thoughts to swirl. Maybe it's because a fire can erase, rather effectively, something that needs to be destroyed. It's a cleansing function. That's a good thing to do from time to time.

Good-bye 2022. It's been a year. 2023 is almost here. I pray we may all face it and the challenges/blessings that accompany it with courage, grace, and humility.

2023--bring it on!