The Lighter Side of 2016

Let's face it.  2016 was a pretty terrible year.  High crime.  An incredibly divisive election.  More celebrity deaths than I can ever remember, losing the likes of Prince, David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Gene Wilder, Florence Henderson, Holly Dunn, Janet Waldo, two members of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and THREE members of "The Patty Duke Show"...to name a very, very few.  It's heartbreaking.

However, I've decided, at the end of this year, to try to remember the good things that happened to me, personally, this year.  

I've never been one to write out annual newsletters - although I truly do enjoy reading the ones I get - but I figured that there's a first time for everything, and THIS particular year needs it more than most!

So here is the Fahel View of 2016!

January:  The Coutermarsh side of the family had a gathering.  It's rare when a large percentage of us can get together, and this was as nice a gathering as could be.

February:   Elizabeth participated in the AWANA quiz, with Deborah volunteering as co-captain.  Elizabeth also celebrated her 11th birthday with a trip to Toys R Us (which just happened to have a Pokemon Day while we were there) and dinner at Red Robin.

April:  Elizabeth attended her final AWANA Awards Night, ending a 10-year involvement in the program for our family.

May:  Deborah was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, while Elizabeth applied for and was selected as part of her school's Leadership Council, where she served on a board that was interviewed by the Mayor, school board, and various members of local government and parents.  Deborah also had a "gig" with the Chamber Orchestra performing at Barnes & Noble, one of the first times the Chamber Orchestra was asked to perform outside of the school.

June:  Elizabeth graduated from elementary school with high honors, receiving the President's Academic Award.  Deborah finished 7th grade with high honors.  Elizabeth also participated in a week-long music camp at our church, learning choral singing and ukulele.

July/August: Deborah once again participated in Breakthrough, taking up tennis along with the academic studies she so enjoys.  Elizabeth spent her time in a YMCA camp, where she earned Camper of the Week, then Camper of the Day, then finally Camper of Camp at the end.

Also in August we witnessed an adoption, and my company moved from a pretty bad location to a lovely new office with great location, ample parking, and a thermostat that WE can control!  This month Leigh also got Officer of the Month at his job.

September:  Leigh & I celebrated our 31st anniversary by taking the girls to a local car show.  That may not sound great, but we love it and had a wonderful time.

Also in September, Elizabeth started her first year of middle school, while Deborah started her last.  Deborah was also elected Vice President of Student Council, and they both auditioned for - and were accepted by - the Chamber Orchestra.  Ordinarily, 6th graders aren't accepted, but Elizabeth figured she would give it a shot.  She also joined Deborah as members of our church's Youth Group.

October:  Elizabeth got braces.  While not exactly a "good" thing per se, it was needed for more than just cosmetic reasons, so that makes it good.

 November:  Deborah turned 14.  Her choice for her birthday?  Just for all of us to stay home in "jammies", relax, call out for pizza, and watch "Flowers for Algernon" (one of her birthday gifts).  Later in the month we also attended our friend Kevin's ordination service.

Which brings us to now...December:  Even though today is only the 9th, it's already been a full time.  As a member of NJHS, Deborah got to ride on a float in the city's Christmas parade...and then Elizabeth was invited to join in.  The next day Deborah, Elizabeth & I were all involved in the church's Christmas pageant.  Deborah narrated.  Elizabeth & I were in the Adult Choir and the Ladies' Ensemble, but Elizabeth was also in the Youth Choir.  Then there were 2 concerts, back-to-back: 6th-grade strings, followed by 7th- and 8th-grade strings with Chamber Orchestra.

I'll admit that, as bad as 2016 was overall, there were a lot of bright spots in it.  Here's to hoping and praying that 2017 will be a lot better.

Respect

Last week I was watching some old game shows, "To Tell the Truth" and "What's My Line".  These were all older episodes from (I think) the mid-60s.  I couldn't help but notice quite a few things:

• All of the women were well-dressed; a contestant was even wearing a hat and gloves;
• All of the men were wearing suits;
• All of the people spoke in moderate tones, no yelling or shouting;
• There was quite a bit of joking around, but it was all "clean" and more in line with good-natured ribbing. 

It kind of made me...well, not sad exactly...closer to reflective.  

Nowadays people don't get "dressed up" unless they absolutely HAVE to, and it's mostly for things like weddings and funerals...and, in most cases, not even then.  It seems to me that people take MORE pride in how "dressed DOWN" they can be.

One time I mentioned that, for me, not going out in ripped clothes or pajama pants was a source of self-respect.  I was informed by someone that THEY  respected themselves enough to "be comfortable" and not care about what other people thought of them.

Which brings me to speech.  Recently I read that people who swear and use foul language are "more honest" and even show higher intelligence.  I don't see that.  To me, it takes more intelligence - and imagination - to THINK about what you say and not fall into base language...and a person can be honest AND tactful at the same time, contrary to popular opinion.

I guess a lot of this boils down to respecting others.

I respect others enough to want to show my "best face".

I respect others enough not to want to use coarse language.

I respect others enough to try to be honest, yet tactful.

I respect others enough to hear or read their opinions and not hate them for differing from mine.

I respect others enough to go to a ceremony, school concert, etc., and continue to sit quietly and pay attention, even when "my" part is done.

I'm not perfect.  I slip up as much as anybody. I do think it would be easier if more people at least attempted to show some level of respect...for themselves, as well as others.

Thankfully, I'm pretty much surrounded by some pretty respectful people.