My 100-Year Journey

In my 100 years, I've seen many changes in my town, my country, and around the world. Looking back, I feel homesick and somewhat lonely for a by-gone era. Still, I realize that time changes each of our lives. Progress brings growth to people and the nation. Neighborhoods change. People grow older and younger ones move away for higher education, work, or marriage, seldom to return except for short visits. Within these pages are memories I wish to pass along to my great-grandchildren and their generation. These are my memories of family, neighbors, and places I knew. Some of these memories are happy, while others are not, as we all experience both love and rejection on our life's journey. In my time, however, I've learned that, even during hard times, we should all give thanks and appreciate God's gift of life. God gives us unexpected love and joy. Encouragement may come from the words of a hymn, a smile, a hug. Through faith, we have hope that strengthens us, to do more with one more breath, one more prayer, one more day. Whatever may have happened the day before, you can look forward to a new, unblemished day. The sun will come up, the clouds will roll away, and there awaiting you is a day of joy, a fresh day of hope and God's grace.