EAT THE PEAS, HOPE FOR FUTURE

By OLIVENE GODFREY

It's a Southern tradition that if black-eye peas are eaten on New Year's day good luck and prosperity are assured throughout the year. In my parent's home we were always told, "This year you will receive a dollar for each blackeye pea you eat today."
I can't find black-eye peas and hog jowl a delicacy even though my son, Barry does. But, with the state of the economy as it is, I just may stuff myself with black-eye peas and also another food I'm not fond of--turnip greens. Some folks say if you eat turnip greens on New Year's day you'll have plenty of "greenbacks" during the year.

The past year has not been the best of years for Americans. Yet, we are alive and a new year brings some promise of better things to come. A good New Year's resolution is to strive to grow as a person. Elliot Paul wrote,"Whatever isn't growing wears out." Our Creator could have made us like a spider, the creature that has nothing to learn. He is born with completely developed instincts, knowing just how to be a model spider.
But, human beings must struggle to achieve maturity, to achieve our potentials. And the dullest kind of life possible is one devoid of struggle. Without discipline in our lives we tend to create a dull, childish personality. And, some of the most interesting experiences in life are in overcoming obstacles. Life is made richer by exertion. And, if the economy doesn't improve during 2009 many more of us will have obstacles to overcome.

But, now as we begin a new year, we can count what blessings we do have. Sometimes while struggling too hard up the side of our mythical mountain we miss some beautiful scenery because we could see only the peaks. I try to be a realistic optimist.
And I think the individuals who made our country great were realistic, yet optimistic. And in the months ahead it will be important for us to hold onto our optimism and not to give up and to remember that we've seen bad times before and overcame them.

And, whether or not, you dine on black-eye peas this year, I hope that each of you have a happy day and that the upcoming year will bring you happiness.

See you next time.

HAPPINESS SIMPLY IS

By OLIVENE GODFREY

For the first time in many years, I won't be cooking a Christmas dinner. As much work as it was to prepare the meals, I enjoyed them. This past Thanksgiving day, Barry helped me cook a big dinner and cleaned up the kitchen after we ate. We used some convenience foods this year that I had previously made from scratch bur we enjoyed them. I asked Barry a couple of weeks ago what we were going to do about Christmas eve dinner. He replied that it was too tiring to prepare the meal just for the two of us. I don't think he ever realized before our Thanksgiving day dinner how much work was involved. Actually, at 81, I guess it's time to let go of some of the things I've always done in the past.


Barry and I have bought gifts for each other. Our family who will be at the dinner and party at my sister, Jeanette's house on Christmas day all drew names recently. So, we each had to be only one gift.

Barry and I still have lingering colds and coughs and are hoping we will feel better Christmas and that we'll have a happy day.
I have been thinking about happiness for several days and I think there is more misconception about the word than any other in our language. One definition that I like is, "Happiness simply is." It isn't a feeling like, joy, bliss, fun. Those who believe it is an emotion often spend a lifetime searching to achieve happiness as though it can be captured by pursuit.
Happiness is a condition of being. It can't be manufactured. It can't be achieved or found. it has no causes. I've decided that it can be a decision on the part of the individual. Is life worth living even while it is less than perfect? Persons I've known who have this happiness don't go into shock when they face difficulty. They assume it will pass, as everything indeed does. They walk on --living the good times and bad -- believing anything is better than being apathetic.

We must either live in direct spontaneous contact with the emerging Now, or live fearfully thinking of tomorrow--in a
world of wishful thinking and endless searching.

Have a happy Christmas.

See you next time.

EYE DOCTOR REPORTS & BIRTHDAY PLANS

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Son Barry and I had appointments with an eye doctor at the eye clinic in Dalton a few days ago. We both had complete eye exams and first, the good news. The doctor told us our eye exam results showed that our eyes are very healthy. But, Barry, like most people his age, needs reading glasses. The drugstore glasses he has been wearing are still just fine for him, the doctor said. My diagnosis is that the cataract on my right eye needs to be removed. I had the cataract on my left eye removed a couple of years ago. I have a pre-surgical appointment in January when a surgery date will be scheduled. I am looking forward to having good visions in both eyes again.

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On my 81st birthday, December 10, torrents of rain fell and today, December 11, we're still having heavy rains off and on and the rain in parts of our area will turn to a wintry mix. Barry's birthday is Sunday, December 14 and the weather is supposed to be nice. So,we're making tentative plans to celebrate our birthdays on Sunday. A Dalton restaurant gives birthday diners a free meal. So, Barry will have his lunch free and will pay for mine as a treat for me. We both need haircuts and Barry will be off from work on Monday, so we plan to go to the mall for haircuts and lunch at Chick-Fil-A. I haven't been outside except to go to the doctor in several weeks and hopefully I will be able for the outing. Barry and I both still have colds and have been miserable all week and are hoping and praying we will feel better this weekend.

My sisters and I have had a tradition for years of sending funny, insulting birthday cards to each other. I found a doozie of a card last fall and sent it to my sister, Jeanette, on her October birthday. When I spoke with her on the phone a few days later, I asked if she received the card. She replied in a sadistic tone of voice, "Just you wait...." And I got the card on December 9th and it too was a doozie. Son Barry, an only child, doesn't understand this and other traditions we have that are funny to us and part of a large family.

See you next time.

MUSIC IS FOR ALL TO ENJOY

By OLIVENE GODFREY

It seems we are having an early, very cold winter here in northwest Georgia. Son Barry has a bad cold and is feeling miserable today. We think I may have had a cold last week and thought it was an allergy attack and I felt awful for a few days. I am feeling about normal now. Barry and I both have appointments in a few days to have complete eye exams at our eye doctor's clinic in Dalton. A couple of years ago, I had cataract surgery on my left eye and think it may be time for me to have the surgery on my right eye. Also, it may be time for Barry to switch from drugstore reading glasses to prescription ones. We will know in a few days.

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My niece, Charlene, is raising three of her grandchildren. I had an e-mail from her recently and she said that she is still teaching pre-school chorus at church and she thinks music is a good outlet for all children. Her grandchildren all sing and enter talent contests from time to time. I am grateful that I grew up in an atmosphere of music. What greater legacy can we give our children than training in music appreciation?
A beautiful piece of music speaks to us and we respond- often aching from the beauty of the sounds. Some songs cry out about our aches and our bewilderment. Others tell of our unfulfilled hopes, dreams,love, or our search for the meaning of life itself.

According to experts who publish popular music, teenage music, in particular is supposed to mirror the moods of youth. The music of our youth becomes intensely personal and meaningful to us. Perhaps it is partly because at that time of our lives we don't know how to say what we want to say. And years later we cannot hear the name of a favorite singer or the words of an old song without evoking instant recall of our most cherished memories of yesterday.

Ours is a heritage of singing our faith. There is gladness and joy found in the Psalms--often called the hymnbook of the Bible. And great spirituals speak to us for a better life.

Music is free for all of us to enjoy, anytime, anywhere if we only listen.

See you next time,