Beginnings

This is my first blog. 'Bout time, I suppose. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while, but simply didn't take the time/effort to begin working on it. So many new things are happening now, though, I figured it's time to get off the schnide and venture into a new frontier!

Speaking of new things, I find this time of year quite interesting when the networks traipse out their new programming for the fall. It's a time to catch up on favorite shows from last year and get hooked on new ones. It's also a time to break some tired habits and make the difficult decision to part ways with shows that no longer tickle my fancy.

And then there's the always aggravating and inevitable reality that a favorite show got cancelled due to lack of interest. For example, FX had a show out a couple years back called "Over There" about a company of soldiers in the current Iraq War. It was raw, violent, and best I can tell, realistic. That was it's appeal as well as its downfall. Apparently people didn't feel comfortable watching a show about a controversial war currently being fought. Regardless how you feel about the war, I thought it was a good show that met a premature and unfortunate ending.

Life is full of these kinds of endings. Almost a month ago my beloved uncle (and undisputed patriarch of my dad's side of the family) passed suddenly when he fell out of his boat and drowned while fishing. Our family was caught off guard to say the least and left to wonder how this could happen to him and us. He literally lived his life on that lake and fished every single day. He logged more hours on that boat than I have on this earth and for him to meet his maker in such a way is as confounding as just about anything can be.

My Uncle Billy was a man of great faith. Because of this, I know that his tragic death is not the end. Jesus said that he makes all things new and because of the gift of his own life for you and me, we can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is hope for tomorrow even when it seems all is lost.

The proof of this came just last weekend as our family gathered for the first time since his funeral for a couple birthday parties--my mom's 60th and my grandmother's 86th. Though his absence was significant, our family got together with a piñata, quesadillas, candy and cake. We played and celebrated the life that we share, knowing that it's always darkest before the dawn and there's more hope in love and togetherness than there is hopelessness in grief!

I am sure that as a new fall TV lineup begins I will grow attached to a story line and group of characters that won't last forever. But alas, nothing ever does. For every "Over There" that comes and goes in the blink of an eye, there is a "Friends", "Seinfeld", and even "The Simpsons". All things come to an end, but are able to love and celebrate the times that we have.

Take this day to make a new beginning; for yourself, your friends, your family, and whoever else that deserves your best. And if you are stuck in the premature and unfortunate loss of something dear to you, be comforted by the words of our Lord..."Behold, I make all things new."