WELCOME 2012

Yep. Hard to believe, but it's 2012. I was born in the middle of the last century...December 2, 1946. Many of the years since then have been fantastic. Some have been sad and disappointing. For the most part, I have loved my life.

I'm now 65 years old. It doesn't seem possible. I feel like it was just a few weeks ago that I was running around and playing softball and acting like a kid and having no physical limitations.

In some respects, it disappoints me that there are things I'll never be able to do in this life. Some things that I used to do are simply out of the question. I can't really see me playing any of my favorite sports. For most of my life, I've been able to say, "I'm young enough, I could start over in a new career. I could go back to school and become a (fill in the blank)." Not any more.

However, that doesn't mean I'm sad or hate my life or feel like I'm just waiting to die.

I'm excited to be alive. I have a wonderful family. From my wife, to my kids and grandkids. To my siblings and parents and all those other relatives, like nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles and in-laws. Yes, I do have a wonderful family.

I have great friends. People who inspire me and treat me well, even though I don't always deserve it. People who make me want to be a better person.

I have my faith. I love it. I love the culture of being a Mormon. We're weird and we know it. Most of us do. (I wonder about some of us.) I love the stuff we do. The Gospel, itself, is true and perfect. The Church and its members are a bit shaky. The Gospel won't change, but the Church and its members have the opportunity to change every day. Being led by a living Prophet, the church can and will change as new information is received. Because of our Lord and Savior, we can all change...and hopefully, we are.

I live in Utah. More specifically, I live in Utah County. I love it here. What a wonderful place to live. Great neighbors and friends. Great influences. Great teens and young people.

I have a dream job. So does Karen. My job is perfect for me. I hope to continue with it until I'm 70. If not, I'll get a job locally and work somewhere until I'm 70.

So, what do I want for 2012?

I want to be a kinder person.

I want people to know that I love them. Even if I have to tell them.

I want to serve the Lord.

I want to serve my neighbors.

I want to be successful (by my own definition) at work.

I want to clean my office and keep it clean!

I want to take care of projects around the house as they come up, instead of when I get around to them.

I want 2012 to be my best year yet!

Will it be perfect? Not a chance, but the opportunities will be there for me to make it great.

Have a great New Year!