END OF THE YEAR REFLECTIONS

I find myself at this time of the year reflecting back on all the happy memories and wonderful times we had this year-all the family gatherings and the annual vacation in Maine and at the same time thinking about those who have gone before us. Recently I lost my last two Aunts and now I have no more Aunts and Uncles on my father's side. Myself and my 20 other cousins have now become the Aunts and Uncles as the Circle of Life continues. And two guys I worked with for many years at IBM and traveled with and worked on many projects with, also passed on this year. But at the same time I look ahead to the new year and while I don't call these resolutions, these are some things we can do this holiday season and throughout 2011. Some of these are from my book 5 Words and Then Some, near the back where I have a chapter on And Then Some More and some I have picked up along the way. In no particular order:

* Do something nice for someone and don't tell them
* Pay for the toll for the car behind you (if you don't use EZPASS!)
* Pay for a lunch or dinner for someone you don't know and don't tell them
* Pick up at least 1 piece of trash a day
* Put 2 pennies a day in a container. That's $7.30 a year
* Always write an old fashioned thank you note when on the receiving end and write a thank
you to someone you see in the paper or news who is making a difference
* When someone moves in near you, bring them a card and a bottle of wine to welcome them to
the neighborhood
* Always write a sympathy card with a personal note on it when a friend or co-worker loses a
close family member.
* Always go to wakes. You will want them at yours right?
* Say hello or good morning, with a GREAT BIG BRIGHT SMILE to everyone you meet.
* Donate at least 2 items a month to a food pantry
* Volunteer somewhere for at least 2 hours a month
* Help out neighbors who are alone, elderly or down on their luck. Shovel their walkway, bring them a loaf of homemade bread, invite them for dinner or a cup of tea.
* Go through your closets and donate what you don't need
* Give a present to someone in need without them knowing it was you

These are just a few things we can do this holiday season and in 2011. Let's all try to incorporate a few of them into our daily life. Together we can all make Spaceship Earth a better place and "to make gentle the life of this world."

And I wish each one of you a wonderful holiday season and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. All the best, FRAN