Happy New Year

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

Before we start another year of party-hopping, joining the other true-blue partyphiles in celebrating anything and everything, I say this fervent prayer for all of us, especially those who have taken over the reins of running our country’s economy, that we be insulated from the devastating effects of global recession, and that our respective families, the source of our strength, remain intact, happy, healthy and blessed by the Almighty’s generosity.

Every New Year’s Eve, I make it a point to stay away from the city, to avoid having to inhale all that polluted smoke from the tons of pyrotechnics that assault the four corners of our metropolis without letup. My children and I either go abroad or go to a deserted beach or to a far-flung mountain resort. This New Year’s Eve was no exception. Except for my daughter, who now lives and works in Seattle, my sons and I decided to drive off to a five-star resort, far from the madding crowd.

But, wherever we go, one thing is constant—at the stroke of midnight, my children and I hold hands and pray together, to thank Somebody Up There for His continuing blessings and to ask Him for guidance in everything we do in the New Year.

I beg your indulgence for deviating from my usual column format as I gather my children, in the spirit of family “togetherness”, and ask them to share with you their “prayers” on this happy occasion. They’re actually New Year’s “wishes” but I learned from my prayer community that only fairies and goblins WISH, Catholics PRAY. So, here are my children, from the eldest to the youngest, with their messages:

“May the New Year be filled with more pleasant surprises and less disasters, more benefits and less losses, more joy and less sorrow and most of all, may our hearts be filled with faith in God and in one another.”—Juan Carlos, 27, university marketing officer

“Just like what James Agate, foremost British collector of aphorisms, said, I hope, this year, I’ll be able to tolerate fools more gladly, provided this doesn’t encourage them to take up more of my time. Happy New Year!”—Ana Beatriz, 25, pharmaceutical company administrative officer (Seattle)

“It’s already a cliché when you hear that change is inevitable. Last year brought in many changes, both good and bad. To all my friends, family, colleagues and clients, let’s all be optimistic as we look forward to the changes this New Year will bring. After all, we are still the only ones who can make great changes happen. Have a very Happy New Year!”—Jose Miguel, 22, real estate company corporate accounts officer

Our New Year’s Resolution? As a family, we go by this “jewel” (from the files of Joanna Fuchs) which I received from a friend:

How can I use the New Year
To better serve my Lord?
I’ll read my Bible every day,
And be more in accord.

I’ll find new ways to serve others;
I’ll love my neighbor, too.
I’ll focus on “give” instead of “get”
In everything I do.

I’ll forgive the people I’m mad at;
Angry feelings I’ll discard;
I’ll try to love my enemies,
Even though it’s hard.

In the new year, I’ll lift people up,
Instead of putting them down.
I’ll fill my heart with love and joy,
And never wear a frown.

I’ll let go of my worries;
I’ll put it all in His hands;
I’ll repent and try to sin less,
And obey all His commands.

These new year’s resolutions
Are difficult, at best,
But there’s something I can do each day
That will put my soul at rest:
I’ll love my Lord with all my heart,
With all my mind and soul,
And if I do this essential thing,
All the rest will be in control.

YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE:

A little old lady is walking down the street dragging two large plastic bags behind her. One of the bags rips, and every once in a while, a $20 bill falls out onto the sidewalk. Noticing this, a policeman stops her, and says, “Ma’am, there are $20 bills falling out of your bag.”

“Oh, really? Darn!” says the little old lady. “I’d better go back and see if I can still find them. Thanks for telling me.”

“Well, now, not so fast,” says the cop. “How did you get all that money? You didn’t steal it, did you?”

“Oh no,” says the little old lady. “You see, my backyard is right next to the football stadium parking lot. On game days, a lot of fans come and pee through the fence into my flower garden. So, I stand behind the fence with my hedge clippers. Each time some guy sticks his thing through the fence, I say, ‘$20 or off it comes.’”

“Well, that seems only fair,” laughs the cop. “OK, good luck! Oh, by the way, what’s in the other bag?”

“Well, you know,” says the little old lady, “not everybody pays.”

For feedback, I’m at bobz@pldtdsl.net