Spirit of the Season
Published: Tuesday, December 27, 2011
1:11 AM CST
Greg Awtry, News-Times Publisher
As we get ready to close out the year I am sure we can all look back over the events that touched each of us in 2011.
We reluctantly see our shortcomings, celebrate our successes and thank God for the many blessings He bestowed on us.
For me, I will put 2011 down as a year of struggle. Internationally, the world was hardly at peace as we witnessed nations under dictatorships rebel. The United States was fighting wars on too many fronts and we continue to watch many of our bravest give their lives for the nation they serve so well.
Our national politicians are locked in political battle as well, while America's working class struggle to pull this nation back to prosperity despite Washington's ineffective and meddling ways.
But for me, the best part of the end of the year is anticipation of the next. It's also a time to take a quick glance in the rearview mirror to reflect on those who made an impact on your life.
For me, there were many.
There is my wife Josie, who struggled with her own health issues in 2011 and a loss of her brother. Through it all she was strong, and although you may not know her, she remained true to herself, thinking and helping others despite her difficulties. I draw strength from her each and every day.
Then there are the employees of this newspaper. In a day when business continues to ask for more output from fewer employees, the dedication they pour into this community newspaper is simply astounding.
Although many of you are quick (and rightfully so) to point out our deficiencies, I get to see first hand the first class journalism they produce every day.
But there is one individual that so deeply touched my life I feel I have to share her story, because we could (and I could) learn a lot from this person.
For those who have been reading my weekly rants for the past several years, you may well remember the few times I mentioned my granddaughter, Little Maddie.
Little Maddie turns 2 in a couple of weeks, and no one I know understands “struggles” better than she does. She was born with Down Syndrome along with health complications that make one question the very God we so often turn to when times get tough.
After spending a week with Little Maddie over the holidays, I am only now beginning to understand.
Little Maddie is unable to walk or talk yet, but by no means does that mean she can't communicate.
She has become a pro at sign language and when her parents urge her to use her “words” her tiny face goes taut as she struggles to force out single syllables, followed by a grin that brings a tear to my eye dozens of times a day.
We know she has a thousand things she wants to tell us, and soon ... someday soon ... she will.
We watched Little Maddie stand on her own, and walk a few steps, not once but hundreds of times last week. Each time she fell. Each time she got back up.
Each time she looked so deeply into our eyes as if she was saying, “Don't help me, I can do this on my own.” And soon ... someday soon ... she will.
How can such a tiny little girl, with less than two years of wisdom packed into her short life, teach us so much? How can such an infectious little spirit wake each morning with a smile and go to bed each night with that same smile while her struggle to overcome is so great?
Little Maddie, she works harder than most of us, has less to show for it than most of us, yet anticipates each day as an opportunity to make herself a better person.
World, if you are listening, seek out your own Little Maddie. Learn from her as I have. Let the spirit of the season, and those who have blessed our lives with so much, carry us into a glorious new year.
Happy New Year, Little Maddie.
1:11 AM CST
Greg Awtry, News-Times Publisher
As we get ready to close out the year I am sure we can all look back over the events that touched each of us in 2011.
We reluctantly see our shortcomings, celebrate our successes and thank God for the many blessings He bestowed on us.
For me, I will put 2011 down as a year of struggle. Internationally, the world was hardly at peace as we witnessed nations under dictatorships rebel. The United States was fighting wars on too many fronts and we continue to watch many of our bravest give their lives for the nation they serve so well.
Our national politicians are locked in political battle as well, while America's working class struggle to pull this nation back to prosperity despite Washington's ineffective and meddling ways.
But for me, the best part of the end of the year is anticipation of the next. It's also a time to take a quick glance in the rearview mirror to reflect on those who made an impact on your life.
For me, there were many.
There is my wife Josie, who struggled with her own health issues in 2011 and a loss of her brother. Through it all she was strong, and although you may not know her, she remained true to herself, thinking and helping others despite her difficulties. I draw strength from her each and every day.
Then there are the employees of this newspaper. In a day when business continues to ask for more output from fewer employees, the dedication they pour into this community newspaper is simply astounding.
Although many of you are quick (and rightfully so) to point out our deficiencies, I get to see first hand the first class journalism they produce every day.
But there is one individual that so deeply touched my life I feel I have to share her story, because we could (and I could) learn a lot from this person.
For those who have been reading my weekly rants for the past several years, you may well remember the few times I mentioned my granddaughter, Little Maddie.
Little Maddie turns 2 in a couple of weeks, and no one I know understands “struggles” better than she does. She was born with Down Syndrome along with health complications that make one question the very God we so often turn to when times get tough.
After spending a week with Little Maddie over the holidays, I am only now beginning to understand.
Little Maddie is unable to walk or talk yet, but by no means does that mean she can't communicate.
She has become a pro at sign language and when her parents urge her to use her “words” her tiny face goes taut as she struggles to force out single syllables, followed by a grin that brings a tear to my eye dozens of times a day.
We know she has a thousand things she wants to tell us, and soon ... someday soon ... she will.
We watched Little Maddie stand on her own, and walk a few steps, not once but hundreds of times last week. Each time she fell. Each time she got back up.
Each time she looked so deeply into our eyes as if she was saying, “Don't help me, I can do this on my own.” And soon ... someday soon ... she will.
How can such a tiny little girl, with less than two years of wisdom packed into her short life, teach us so much? How can such an infectious little spirit wake each morning with a smile and go to bed each night with that same smile while her struggle to overcome is so great?
Little Maddie, she works harder than most of us, has less to show for it than most of us, yet anticipates each day as an opportunity to make herself a better person.
World, if you are listening, seek out your own Little Maddie. Learn from her as I have. Let the spirit of the season, and those who have blessed our lives with so much, carry us into a glorious new year.
Happy New Year, Little Maddie.
