Let’s just be honest. 2025 was a really lousy year! I am not talking globally, or nationally (though it certainly was on that stage!).
No I am talking personally. As we have talked about this year we have said that it was “a hard year!” And it was! Actually beginning at the end of 2024. Anita’s mother passed away after a fall. Then I fell during the Congregational Candlelight Lovefeast. My body just sorta said that after 45 years of benign MS maybe it was time not to be silent anymore and maybe I should seriously consider retiring, a bit sooner than planned!
Then our youngest daughter slipped and fell in the snowy ice in east Tennessee, (as she said, “My right foot slipped, my left foot stayed still and I heard it go ‘snap snap.”) That began a VERY Lengthy recovery period.
Then we moved to Memphis and that brought with it all the glories of a move! “Where is ______?” “Why didn’t we get rid of this 3 moves ago?”
You see why we are not at all sad to see this year pass into the history book?
And that was how I was looking at the year, until I cam across an article from The Athletic, the New York Times collaborative sports section. I get their email every day and just after Christmas they had one with the titled “What brought us joy in 2025?”
It got me to thinking. In the midst of this ver bad horrible no good year, what were the things that brought me joy? Could I come up with 25?
Here they are in no particular order, really just sparked by pictures on my feed!
Snow in Kernersville
After getting used to snow in NS it was delightful to see it in NC. It disappeared a lot quicker, but was wonderful!
Working with wonderful colleagues/friends at KMC
Throughout my career I have had amazing colleagues. These just reminded me how good it has been!
Chicken pies
It is a Moravian thing, like Lovefeast! A community effort and O so good!
A “private” band concert
Our band came by to give us a concert as they went out before Easter
Celebrating grandchildren’s birthdays
If you don’t get joy from children’s birthdays, then check your soul!
Chapel with KMC Preschool
Every Tuesday morning I got to do chapel with the children at our Preschool. By far the highlight of my week!
Family gathering in Oliver Springs
Savannah couldn’t travel so we all went to her! Seeing all the cousins together was joyful!
Game Night—Crokinole
Just a reason to get the congregation together for fun, and to introduce them to a game we learned in NS!
Trip to Pilot Mountain with Anita
Anita and I took a trip to Pilot Mountain. Lots of college memories for me!
No Kings Rally in Greensboro and Memphis
A reminder that I am not alone in my prayer for our country
Lent/ Holy Week—Easter Sunrise
Nobody does Lent like the Moravians! INTENSE, but it makes Easter so wonderful!
Andrew and Julie visit
I met Andrew and Julie during a sabbatical trip to Prague in 2001. We have visited each other over the years! They showed us Cambridge (where Andrew went); I showed them Wake Forest! Just wonderful
Retirement party
Anita threw me the most wonderful retirement party, inviting friends from throughout our lives. Still reveling in the stories!
Retirement celebration from KMC
Churches could take a lesson in how to send a pastor into retirement!
All our stuff in one place
Since 2017 our “stuff” has been scattered all over! It is finally all together, though there isn’t enough room! Want something?
Vacation at IOP
When you have friends who invite you to housesit while they are away you just have to say yes! That’s the kind of people we are!
Hearing Woody preach
David Woody was my colleague in Greenville and Charleston. He came to celebrate my retirement. We got to hear him preach at his church in Charleston.
Seeing our grandchildren love the beach as much as I do
I have sand in my shoes! It is wonderful to watch your grandchildren fall in love with it too!
Preacher Camp
For 21 years this group has been getting together! We have grown up together, and our children. Can’t imagine doing ministry without them!
World’s Series
Word of explanation. I haven’t watched a complete baseball game since the strike of 94! (I can hold a grudge!). But the Blue Jays sucked me back in and what a series it wa!
Wake Forest football
I am a Wake Forest fan so you just get accustomed to losing. I was prepared this year. My hope was that we might win 3, maybe 4! But 8????
First Frosty
It is the little tiny things. I picked Beau up from school by myself and told him it was a special day. We went and got a Frosty! His first! It is how we celebrate BIG things!
Fireplace
There is just something about a fireplace where you have to carry in wood and can poke the fire that just warms more than my body!
Russian tea
Anita makes the mix for me and every cup brings me joy! (Sorry, no picture!)
Christmas
Need I say more?
As I started, I actually found more items! Maybe it was that horrible after all!
What would be on your list?
To a wonderful 2026!
Come see us! You know where we are!