Happy New Year - In the Beginning

All things came to be through him,

and without him nothing came to be.

What came to be4through him was life,

and this life was the light of the human race;

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I do not get to go out tonight - I am sick.  

I have not felt this bad since my operation - my intestines feel like someone is stabbing me.  Apparently, this is a virus going around and tonight it decided to hit me.

It is not as bad as past NYE(s).  One time I almost drank and used myself into the hospital - I did so much I ended up with pneumonia.  Another time I ended up in another part of the country, underneath someone I did not know and having to look at the stationary in the hotel to figure out what state I was in at the time.

St John's writings was today's Gospel and I think it is perfect for an end and a beginning.  I see 2011 as a tough year - the problems with my family were difficult to get through but it brought me closer to the kids, closer to my Mom, closer to my sister-in-law and (as always) closer to God.  I know, deep in my heart, that no matter what happens we will be fine....even if we lose someone we love...we will be ok.

I hope that 2012 brings us all closer to God.  I hope that, as a Catholic, I can grow in my faith and continue to walk towards heaven, one day at a time.  My hope is that I stay sober, and that those around me also draw closer to Him who is Truth.  And I continue to hope that someday I will be able to celebrate Mass with all my family...those who have gone before me and those who are here today.

Lord, thank you for all you have given me and continue to give to me.  My life is second to none.  I am sober.  I am alive.  Ok, I have the flu - but that allows me to help someone else...those souls in Purgatory that need my offering up...I am offering it up.