By: Garry L. Hamilton

Was a time in my life when Christmas was simple and unconfused: it was all about the toys.

As life plodded onward, there was less clarity but more stuff: it was all about the gifts — to whom you gave them, from whom you got them. And, oh, BTW, Happy New Year.

A little farther down the road, it was less about the stuff, more about the festivities and companionship, and the general “good time” of it all. And where did all these pounds come from, anyway?

But eventually there is clarity.

Clarity is not necessarily kind, but illumination is nonetheless good for the soul.

May this day shine upon the year’s successes, and may the next year offer only those challenges and mountains within your ability to learn and grow and so overcome them.

May the shadows of imagined failure be shown for the illusions that they are, and the radiance of your triumphs light the way for others.

And may you have young to learn from your example and friends with whom to share the struggle and the losing and the winning of it all.

And may you find renewal and new beginnings in this season for you and yours.

I hope that some day someone will learn as much from me as I have from you.

Merry Christmas, guys.