Last week, was it?, unusual atmospheric conditions put a large circle around the sun. I got three shots, though how does one take a picture of the sun with a digital camera? So I put the sun behind the edge of the roof and went at it.

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As the new year approached, Vicki and I walked up to the soccer court above our neighborhood to watch the fireworks launched from downtown, across the river. As we were getting closed, a rain drenched us in the cool night, so we backtracked to the house, and I do believe I spent the first moments of 2004 in the shower getting rid of the chill. After that, I preferred to stay in the house. The kids and friends had gone up earlier and sought the garage of a nearby house, so weren't completely wet.

I finally gave it up about 2 a.m., but the kids stayed up to greet the sunrise above the house, as has become their custom over the last few years.

This is a wonderful time of the year, when so many have holiday time from work, families get together, and a "kinder, gentler," not to mention slower, time prevails. At the same time, it can be a lonely time for some.

Today for lunch, we invited sr. Benedito over to spend the day with us. He's a 72-year-old widower, with no close family. He often feels lonely and has lived most of his life over the past ten years in boarding houses.

Leila played the flute for him, and he and I -- mostly he -- talked the hours away. He is a simple person, a manual laborer still at it, when he can find work. But he is quick on the smile, often finds a good thought in every situation, and enjoys being with God's people. So we enjoyed the day with him.

Our days will be richer, our lives less selfish, our hours more joyful, when we share with those in need. The needs are more often spiritual, emotional, and relational than physical. And since today is considered the International Day of Peace, those individual efforts toward bringing the peace of God and the communion of the Spirit are what will make the difference.

Shall we make this the year when we make not only the holidays, but every day, a kinder, gentler, slower day, in order to notice our neighbor who needs a good listener, a friend at one's side, a word of encouragement, a pointer to the joys of God's love?

Perhaps you need to find it first yourself. It is close within your grasp. Then, you and I may offer what we have found to others in need as well.

May God's blessing be upon you every day of this new year.

Happy holidays to you! Anybody eaten a mince-meat pie this Christmas? Is this one of the fading traditions?

Today's verse was inspired by a forum thread that asked what's the best word of wisdom one has received. I picked up one and made a quatrain out of it. If you're making a new year's resolution, it might come in handy.

Do It Right
by J. Randal Matheny

If you are going to do a thing,
be sure to do it right.
What joy a job well done will bring,
when you pillow your head at night!