Happy New Year!

I have climbed upon my perch once again

To offer my feelings about…stuff.
It's pretty much the same speech I made LAST year.

From the safety of my “no-kill zone” home,

I say this to the year 2012:

Pbbbblllllttttttt!

Goodbye!

Good riddance!

Don’t let our doors hit you

On the way out.

And while you’re at it

Take all the bickering do-nothing politicians, and

Hollywood types that are a bit confused

About the “Until Death Do Us Part” thing.

Take hatred, intolerance, and prejudice with you.
I, for one, have had enough!

And furthermore…

Take all those who think

Killing innocent, defenseless people (and animals!)

Is a sport, a way to release tension, a way to express anger, or revenge
For some real or imagined slight.

What is WRONG with these people?
(I had better not expound on THAT because I can already
Feel the urge to rant!)

Let’s make room for more people

Who perform random acts of kindness.
Who risk their lives for others.
For those who share what they have.

(Bless those souls who paid off Christmas layaway accounts

For perfect strangers!)

I wish I could win the lottery,

Because in addition to paying off bills

And putting aside money so my grandchildren

Can go to college,

I think giving away money anonymously

Must be a tremendous amount of fun!

So, here’s your assignment

If you choose to accept it:

Don’t be stingy with your smile.

Be kind to each other, strangers, animals,

And yourSELF!

Let’s face it, we’re probably never

REALLY going to forgive people who hurt us,

Even though we might want to.

But let’s at least put them behind us.

Make room for Peace
And invite it into your life and hearts.

Perform a random act of Kindness!

Adopt a pet from a shelter
And love it unconditionally,
Because that's what you will
Get in return.

I am now stepping down from my

Dining room chair.

You are excused to go on with your lives.

Oh yeah, and Happy New Year

Wherever you are!