I’m a really bad loser. No. My parents raised me to do my best and be happy with the results. I just got over it. I’m not big on failure either. So, why in the world would I make a bunch of New Year’s Resolutions… no matter how well intentioned… that I know, based on over 60 years of experience… I am not… not a chance… no way… going to keep? Why set myself up for failure?!?!?
So, off to the anti-resolution races! I am not going to lose weight this year. Sorry, Doc! I know you have my health and long life in mind when you yell at me during my physical every year, but I’ve tried and I suck at staying on any diet. When you get that little miracle pill that lets me eat whatever I want and still lose weight… I’m there!
No… my language is not going to improve. It will likely get worse. I used to be relatively well spoken with almost never a swear word passing my lips. But two things have happened. First, I have aged and I have learned that the older you get the more your language filters atrophy and allow your thoughts to escape your lips. Second, I drive in Bowling Green. We have lived in a number of towns in this part of the country but none so full of bad and thoughtless drivers as Bowling Green. If the city police had the staff and time to write all the deserved traffic tickets in Bowling Green, there would be no city taxes. The city would actually be paying us money every year. Just my neighbors blowing through the neighborhood stop signs could reduce the national debt.
And, no, I’m very unlikely to be a better husband. Twila will readily admit this is no surprise. I told her when she agreed to marry me, “This is what you get. I’m not likely to get better and almost certainly will get worse so if you can’t live with that… run now!” Lucky for me, my wife… a combination of Barbie, Wonder Woman and Rosie the Riveter… set her sights very low and once stuck with me has been patient and understanding enough to put up with me.
Having said all that, I am going to make one resolution for 2024… be happier. 2023 was one of… if not the most… challenging and stressful years Twila and I have faced in our 30+ years of marriage and, more thanks to her than me, we survived it and came out stronger. I am hoping and praying that 2024 will allow us a better, happier time and give me hope and strength to face the next new year with another list of silly resolutions that I will quickly ignore.
In any case, I, along with the entire SOKY Happenings team, welcome you to a New Year and wish you a happy, healthy and successful 2024! Happy New Year!
