New Year's Eve

     Many people take New Year's Eve to think about all of the wonderful things they plan to do in 2010. Thousands across the world will make resolutions for this brand new year as they celebrate in various ways. We look back over the past year as a year that was full of disappointments, victories, and memories we will never forget. This is the year of Patrick Swayze's, Brittany Murphy's, and Michael Jackson's death, the year that Tiger Woods's relationship problems were made public, the year that Jon & Kate got divorced, and the year that Americans realized that we actually had to pay our debts back. This is the year that multimillion-dollar companies went bankrupt, and the year that Major Malik Nadal Hasan killed 13 and injured 31 at Fort Hood. There are so many events that have passed in this year, many of them making a mark on history that is still being felt today. We have lost many good friends and family members this year. Mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers have all gone on to see the Lord. Yet, at the same time, sons and daughters were born into this world, bringing joy to our hearts. 
       For me, this past year has brought about some major changes in my life. This is the year that Brian Mark Hodges proposed to me, on September 26th. This is the year that I got the priviledge of getting to know someone whom I have come to love as a brother, Paul Hodges. I thank God for allowing him to be home safely this year. And the year that I have gotten the opportunity to know Hannah Zook and Anna Waller, some of my closest friends. :) This is the year that Jon and Emily Taylor were wed in a beautiful ceremony!
     This year has been the end of some friendships with people I once knew. And the beginnings of new friendships, with people I have come to love. This year I became close to the people of Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church, and had some great times with Brian's cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  :)

    This is also the year that our church had many successful bake sales, and the year that we created an amazing cookbook. My little brother, Johnathan Mason, shot his first buck this year, a nine-pointer! :) And this year I learned to be thankful for my vehicle, my Cavalier, after hitting a deer and being without it for a few months. 
     This is also the year that my stepmother's father passed on, as well as Mrs. Helen Williford's mom, along with many other dear ones. And this is the year that many lost their jobs of 20+ years and had to figure out how to take care of their families with nothing but a prayer. 
    This year has come with many trials and triumphs for each of us individually. There are many memories we will never forget, lessons we have learned, and trials we have overcome. What memories will you cherish forever from this year? There is so much to be thankful for! As we begin this New Year, may we celebrate the memories of the past as we anticipate the wonderful happenings of the future!
  
    P.S. To all readers: What are some of your memories from 2009? What have you learned? What are you thankful for? Leave a comment by clicking on the comments link at the bottom. Leave your name if you wish, along with your reply to this article. Thanks! Comments are appreciated! :)