Opinion

I'd like to first say "Thank you Chiefland" for your beautiful support shown before, during and after the death of Mrs. Julia Haile. I'd like to give a very special thanks to the Greater Chiefland Area Chamber of Commerce for giving her and Papi (Mr. Haile) their flowers while they were able to see them by honoring them as Chiefland's Citizen of the year 2007. We don't know what the future holds for any of us, but we do know Who holds the future of all of us and I thank God for sending me here 13 years ago and placing Mr. and Mrs. Haile into my life.

February may have come and gone, but the facts remain: every month should be Heart Month-especially if you're a woman.

Television commercials, print ads and even soap operas got in on the month-long message that women need to be more aware of their hearts.

And that's not the figurative heart that we give away on Valentine's Day.

Heart disease is now the leading cause of death among women in this country.

The reason? It's unclear.

Saturday night the people of Levy County showed how seriously they take the mission of granting a proper education to the children of our communities.

Despite a waning economy, folks who believe that a successful society is based on a well-educated population donated more than $22,000 to the Levy County Schools Foundation.

Saturday night the fruits of their labors were celebrated with the Eighth Annual Superintendent's Gala.

At dinner Monday night, friends and I discussed the passion so many of our other friends have for a myriad of topics.

For one it's water quality; another hunting; someone else history and still another, football.

"What are you passionate about?" I was asked.

There was no answer.

At one time in my life, I was passionate about my children, but as they grew and needed me less, my passion waned.

Once my work was a passion, but during 20 years in journalism I have developed a cynicism that caused that passion to ebb.

Every day that we are given the chance to wake up from our slumber and put our feet on the floor is another opportunity to start with a clean slate and start life anew.

Unfortunately most of us tend to carry the burdens and travails of yesterday into our todays and that clouds our tomorrows.

As 2008 sits on the horizon, it also marks the chance for new beginnings, new attitudes.

What will you do with it?

The first thing I challenge each of you to do is look back at 2007 and reflect on what was right with your life.

Tomorrow is Dec. 7. Exactly 66 years ago today the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared this date as "a day that will live in infamy."

On this date, 66 years ago the United States, shocked and angered by this unprovoked attack, entered into a war to defend our people, our nation and our freedom.

Men and women across this great land rose to the call and answered this atrocity with defiance and a determination that we Americans would not be beaten.

I like to shower. I enjoy clean clothes. I have to have my coffee in the morning–and night–lots of it.

But those things take water. Daily.

And for months now I have sympathized with my North Georgia friends who are suffering through the worst drought in 100 years.

Lakes Hartwell and Lanier are mud puddles. Docks are useless and more importantly good potable water is a rare commodity for tens of thousands of people.

On Nov. 11, America will celebrate the greatest heroes of our time-this nation's veterans. These men and women sacrificed of themselves, dedicating their efforts to the cause we call Freedom.

Freedom always comes with a price and for many of these servicemen and women, the price was often supreme.

From the Argonne Forest to the sands of Iwo Jima; from Pork Chop Hill in Korea to Hamburger Hill in Vietnam; and back across the waters to the Persian Gulf and now in Iraq, lives were lost, dreams were shattered and still they willingly gave.