Reflections on 2017

 I am looking at my last post from 2016 in which I said "What will 2017 bring?"  This past year brought a major health crisis for one good friend and a tragic death for another.  Maggie Noll  has made an amazing recovery from her stroke on her 70th birthday in March;  she continues to work on her rehabilitation.  Jeff Bain-Conkiin's sudden and tragic death in September has affected all of us in our congregation; we continue to mourn for him and try to support Kelly and her boys.

The political situation with President Trump as our leader has not improved.  We have not gone to war with North Korea but the threat is there.  He continues to tweet with nasty name calling--just this week it was Crooked Hillary again.  He bargains the DACA status by saying the Democrats have to agree to his expensive and futile wall between the US and Mexico.  And he denies any "collusion" with Russia over the election which could very well be true, but he spoke of it 16 times in an informal 30 minute interview with a NYT reporter this week.

Was 2017 really worse in terms of climate and crises?   There were devastating hurricanes in Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico and fires in California.  There were mass shootings in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs, Texas and still no progress on gun safety.

For us personally, this year had gifts.   Jim's cataract surgery was wonderful.  He drives at night again and I don't have to!   We have been in good health and able to work, volunteer and travel.

Our week to celebrate our 50th anniversary with all 14 of us in Ocean Grove was a highlight with memories to last a lifetime--as long as that may be!  And that is something I do think about.  Maggie's stroke and Jeff's death have made us very aware of vulnerability--even in those who seem healthy as we think we are.

John Haas preached about the juxtaposition and contrast of Simeon's saying that Jesus would be a "light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" but also that he told Mary "a sword will pierce your own soul too."   Once again, we don't know what 2018 will bring in our lives of joy and of sorrow.  I hope we can live with courage and hope and faithfulness.