New Year's Eve Thoughts

End of the year thanks to all those in uniform, whether military, police, firefighters, EMTs. Been a tough year and you all have done as well as you could have under the conditions you have faced.

Thanks to Red Cross workers (both volunteer and staff), doctors. nurses, dentists, medical lab techs, pharmacy employees, pharmacy company scientists. The front line is everywhere now.

Thanks to those who grew the crops and raised the poultry, beef, pigs, and other meats. Thanks to those who provide the fish and shrimp.

Thanks to the truck drivers, river towboat crews, dock workers, refinery workers, oil and gas field hands. Thanks to the power company workers who have kept our lights on. To the coal miners, gas collectors and suppliers, who have kept our heat on, thanks. You all delivered the goods.

Thanks to the grocery workers at the local stores who have kept the shelves stocked, cleaned the carts, checked us out.

Thanks to the distillers who switched to producing the alcohol we use for hand sanitation and to the hundreds of individuals and companies who turned out masks of all types.

Thanks to the sports associations, college and professional, who have found a way to provide entertainment despite the hurdles.

Thanks to the clergy who have kept the faith and found creative ways to minister to their flocks.

Thanks to my neighbors who have taken the time to check on one another and who have shown the quiet strength of Americans.

None of us wanted 2020 to be like, well, 2020. But thanks to all of you who have refused to be beaten down.

Final words from Tennyson:

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'

We are not now that strength which in old days

Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;

One equal temper of heroic hearts,

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.