Another Year Older

Well, my 68th birthday has come and gone and I must admit that I have learned a new meaning of friendship. Through Facebook I received more then thirty messages on my wall. First I had to figure out how to find my wall. Once I did I had to learn how to answer all of the people at the same time. Since I’m not sure that I did it right I thought I’d thank you all through my blog in the Chronicle. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of happy birthday messages. Thinking about the friends I have I started to think about the year I moved up here more then 16 years age, to literally start a new life. I wanted to get back to things I liked to do such as finding a poetry group, finding a theater group and to write and travel. I succeeded on all fronts. There are the poets in Shepherdstown who allowed me to read my work. The Old Opera House in Charles Town allowed me to walk across the stage every now and then. I was part of a group of people who fought for seven years to save a building in Charles Town. I am a political junky and have worked and wrote about local politics. I have gotten awards for my pictures and articles. Jefferson County has been gracious and kind to one of its residence.

Some times when I listen to the people who complain that this needs to be done or that needs to be done I wonder how it would work if we could all find a way of working together. Jefferson County is rich in history and in the buildings and places where the events took place. In most cases it is still rural. We have a great school system and a university in our mist. Hunting and fishing are just down the road in Jefferson County.

My birthday wish is that this wonderful place stays this wonderful place. That we find space for growth without loosing our sense of history. That we grow finically, but that we use the resources we have and not put all our eggs into one basket hoping that it will see us through thick or thin. The future will soon be in the hands of our youth. Let us try and create a county that well keep them here rather then leaving for better jobs and salaries elsewhere.

So again thank you all for your friendships and allowing me to become a member of the community. I hope in the next 68 years to live up to the honors you have bestowed to me over the years.