ESCANABA — The clock’s second hand continued its relentless, perpetual march in marking the passing of time (tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock), as it registered another minute, hour, day, month, and finally, year. Oftentimes with the passing of another year, we focus on the coming New Year and either renew or establish new goals. But, why not reflect on the past year and focus by scripting the best and the not so… of the previous year. This will provide the opportunity to revisit the positive highlights, re-evaluate, and develop an understanding of the negatives and how emotionally it has affected and impacted you–and see how one can grow from it.

So, I am going to share with you, my readers, some of the best moments and the other ones in hopes that it will possibly inspire you to do something similar. For me, what stands out as some of the highlights was time spent with my grandchildren (This was described in detail in my article for February 2021). What made it so special, not only that I was physically able to do things, but what I was able emotionally to experience with my grandchildren. The expression of happiness and hearing their laughter resonated long after that experience. So, this year I plan (God willing) on either using a toboggan or a snow tube — but without using the wax as I don’t think my oopy-doopy (tush) would fare too well.

Another best was spending time with my daughter, who had just returned from overseas. I hadn’t hunted deer for a number of years and decided to travel to Gwinn, Michigan and hunt in familiar territory. My daughter expressed an interest in accompanying me. So, we traveled back and forth for a number of days, just walking, talking, and posting. Our discussions covered a number of topics, ranging from personal to professional, to political. No, we didn’t bag a buck (probably scared them away with our conversations), but our time together was priceless.

Some other most memorable moments arrived via a few separate rides with family and friends. What impressed me was not only the sharing of stories, but also the laughter and yes, the sadness. Yet, even those with whom we have not spent time together these last years, it seemed that time had stood still; and we picked up right where we left off in the past.

Lastly, we come to the not so… I would have to consider COVID-19 as my most not so . . . . This required me to observe friends and relatives dealing with illness, loss of life, and coping with isolation, to name just a few. But, there may be a silver lining, whether large or small, to these clouds of despair, if we so choose.

For me, there are a multitude of experiences that I could expand upon; but space is limited, and time is short. So, we will have to wait for another time for these stories to be told. If you choose to take the time to reflect and write down your own “best” and “not so . . .” of 2021, you may discover, as I did for myself, that the positive events outweigh the others. May God bless you and your family, and always remember that even in the darkest moments of our lives, God is always there. All we have to do is be open to Him.